Barcelona left the Bernabeu beaten in the Clasico hurt by the big disappointment of that game and their draw with Inter which left them basically out of the Champions League. In Madrid, they slipped in La Liga and lost some of the hope that that project garnered in the summer.
In subsequent wins over Villarreal and Athletic, the team was exemplary. They were punished again against Bayern, but it was after they had their UCL fate confirmed so understandably they were down. “We have to go for La Liga,” was the message.
The competition is the team’s big target now. But Barcelona needed a little push to drag themselves back to optimistic discourse. And it came this weekend.
A last-minute winner vs Valencia, and Real Madrid dropping two points against Girona at home.
Ancelotti’s team have 32 to Barca’s 31. Madrid have lost their advantage of three points which they earned in the Clasico, and now doubts are growing about their game. They seemed invincible, but were beaten for the first time in the Champions League, and now have drawn. Is this the start of a dip for them?
Barcelona got three golden points with Lewandowksi’s late strike at Mestalla, and now they can pressure Madrid, make their legs shake. The psychological factor will be important and in this sense, Barca are stronger today than yesterday.
They face Almeria at home and then Osasuna on the road, while Real Madrid play Rayo on Monday and then host Cadiz on Thursday.
