Barcelona prepare for season-defining week in Europe & La Liga
Barcelona seem to have rediscovered their Midas touch of late as they are unbeaten in 10 straight matches across all competitions, picking up seven victories and three draws.
The Blaugrana now sit five points adrift of second-placed Sevilla with a game in hand despite having been as low as eighth in the La Liga table earlier this season.
Xavi Hernandez’s men have also reached the last 16 of the Europa League and the conclusion of their continental tie against Galatasaray on Thursday kicks off a massive week with the El Clasico set to follow on Sunday.
Ahead of their trip to the Nef Stadium, the Catalans have work to do off the back of a first-leg goalless draw at the Camp Nou last Thursday.
Barcelona were the better side on the day but failed to convert their chances as on-loan goalkeeper Inaki Pena put on a solid display against his parent club.
Like the previous round against Napoli, the Spanish giants must again triumph away from home to keep their chances of picking up the only missing trophy in their cabinet alive.
With Real Madrid all but set to reclaim their domestic crown from city rivals Atletico Madrid, Barcelona visit the capital this weekend looking to throw a spanner in the works.
Barcelona’s schedule may put them at a disadvantage having to play so soon after a European game, but the Clasico will offer a chance to both gain momentum as well as push Los Cules’ case for a second-place finish.
In addition, Barcelona will be aiming to set positive La Liga news headlines post-Clasico as they look to secure a first win over their arch-rivals since 2019 when they claimed a narrow 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Both teams most recently faced off in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup back in January which ended in a 3-2 victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s men after 120 minutes of action.
Los Blancos had earlier claimed a 2-1 triumph in October’s reverse and are on a run of five consecutive wins in Spanish football’s most prominent fixture.
Ahead of the last international break of the campaign, Xavi will be keen to successfully navigate a crunch period for his side as he seeks to end his debut season at the helm of affairs on a high.