After a brilliant start to La Liga, Barcelona has been on a point-dropping streak for the past three months. The club has dropped from first position to third, and now a difference of 7 points exists between the Los Blancos and Blaugrana. However, a few favoring factors might give Barca an edge in the last eighteen rounds of La Liga.
Reasons Why Barca is Still in the La Liga Race
18 Rounds Still Remain in La Liga
A typical La Liga season comprises 38 games, and about 18 games remain of the current campaign. This means a massive number of points can still be gained through these remaining games. If the Catalans win most of these matches, there can still be a toe-to-toe race.
While on top of the table, Real Madrid now has the pressure to maintain the lead as two La Liga giants are on their tails. Pressure will be mounted on the Los Blancos, and slip-ups might be inevitable for them in the last stretch of the season.
More Home Games Than Away Games
Barcelona has struggled in away games over the years. We have had many famous away stadium curses, like the curse of Anoeta, broken in 2018, and the Curse of Coliseum Alfonso Perez, which has been persistent for five years.
The good news is that Barcelona will play more games (11/18) at home in this season’s final stretch. On the other hand, Real Madrid has nine games at home and nine away. The second La Liga Clasico is also set to play at the Olympic Stadium, which Barca can capitalize on with home advantage to cut Madrid’s lead with three more points.
More Players Available Than First Half of The Season
Many key players have been missing in the first half of the season as injuries disturbed Flick’s squad depth. Ronald Araujo, Gavi, Frenkie De Jong and Ansu Fati missed many games due to injuries. However, all of these key players are back and have been performing well over the past month.
De Jong’s comeback was much more anticipated, as fingers had been raised on his performances. However, the Dutch maestro has shut down critiques with some brilliant performances in January. Gavi and Araujo have been stellar, too, while Fati has decided to stay at Barca and work his way into Flick’s team.
Players are Confident and Focused
The Spanish Super Cup win, and this recent Remontada against Benfica have made players more confident and focused. Even the substitutes have been superb as players like Ferran Torres, De Jong, and Fermin have proven to be fantastic in-match replacements for Flick. They have contributed to prove themselves to be super subs.
Confidence will be key, as the margin for error will be minimal. None of the teams at the top will be able to afford slip-ups and point drop. The lead can be cut short or overcome in just two or three matches.
Barcelona will look to learn from mistakes and win the majority of the remaining matches, as losses are nearly out of the question now.
Let’s hope for another Remontada from Barcelona, but this time in La Liga. Visca Barca!