Rabat – Barcelona can secure the La Liga title next weekend if they avoid defeat against Real Madrid in El Clásico at Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick’s side needs only a draw to make their lead unassailable, with four matches left in the season.
Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2‑0 on Sunday thanks to two second‑half goals from Vinicius Junior.
The victory kept the gap at 11 points and postponed Barcelona’s celebrations. For Madrid, however, the win only delayed what looks inevitable: Barcelona lifting the trophy.
Ferland Mendy left the match injured after 14 minutes, while Kylian Mbappe remains doubtful with a hamstring problem.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa admitted recovery could take longer than expected.
Barcelona’s form
Since mid‑February, Barcelona have won 10 straight league matches, pulling clear of their rivals.
Flick’s team has managed injuries to key players but kept momentum. “We had to deal with many injuries,” Flick said. “But the way the team is playing makes me positive for the future. It is a young squad with a lot of potential.”
If Barcelona win El Clásico, it would be the first time in history that the league title is decided in a direct clash with Madrid.
Madrid’s season has been marked by inconsistency. League defeats to Osasuna, Getafe, and Mallorca, plus draws against Girona and Betis, left them trailing.
Their Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich added to the disappointment.
Internal issues have also surfaced. Cameras caught Alvaro Carreras laughing when Arbeloa chose Fran Garcia to replace Mendy.
Dani Carvajal was seen criticizing teammates from the bench. Mbappe’s personal trip to Italy during recovery caused further unease.
Arbeloa’s position is under pressure, with reports linking Florentino Pérez to a possible return for Jose Mourinho.
What it means for Barcelona
Winning the title against Madrid would be historic and deeply satisfying for Barcelona fans.
It would confirm domestic dominance after Flick’s treble last season. The team could even match the 100‑point record set by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona and José Mourinho’s Madrid if they win all remaining games.
Still, there is regret over missing out on Europe. Barcelona fell to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter‑finals and Copa del Rey semi‑finals.
Yet securing La Liga in El Clásico would be a powerful statement of their progress under Flick.