image source: marca.com
Four points down and 30 still up for grabs. Although the numbers are stacked against Real Madrid, the squad are convinced they can turn things around and finish La Liga ahead of Barcelona. In fact, in order to become league champions, 'Los Blancos' only need to end the season level on points with the 'Azulgranas', with the head-to-head tipped in Real's favour after the last 'Clásico'.
Real Madrid know that the first step to taking the title is to win all their remaining games. A clean sweep from now would put 'Los Blancos' on 94 points, a total they believe that, based on their schedule, Barcelona will struggle to top. The European champions' forthcoming list of commitments is not much lighter but they are still confident of securing the remaining 30 points on offer.
It is hoped that Barça will stumble at three key hurdles, the first of which comes this very weekend at Balaídos, a stadium Real Madrid will also need to pass through and which was the venue for Atlético's downfall. The following stage of the competition during which 'Los Blancos' are hopeful of closing in on their title rivals is in Champions League time. Barcelona will face PSG in the quarter-finals, in a period when they also have three heavy-duty Spanish league encounters: an away match against Sevilla, hosting Valencia and a visit to Espanyol. And finally, in the penultimate matchweek, Barcelona are headed to the Vicente Calderón for a showdown with Atlético.
Real Madrid's convictions are bolstered by a favourable precedent, that of the 2006-2007 season, when they left the Camp Nou five points down with 12 matches to play. Ten wins, one draw and one defeat later, with some epic victories along the way and having regularly come back from the brink, they were crowned champions on the very last day of the season. A feat they are keen to repeat.
- MARCA.com
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