The Atletico Madrid tie still hurts. Going out in the quarter-finals in such a way feels like a proper gut punch. The one fatal habit has costed Barcelona again.
But here’s the thing, the season isn’t over. Barcelona now sit nine points clear at the top of La Liga with only seven games left to play. Real Madrid has slipped up enough times and has almost presented Barcelona with the La Liga title. Real Madrid was also knocked out in the UCL by Bayern Munich in the quarter finals last night. So, the league title is the only silverware the two Spanish Giants – Barcelona and Real Madrid can add to their cabinet.
This makes it whole lot simpler for both of them; go all in the final league matches. With nine points behind Barcelona in the league standings, Real Madrid is heading towards another trophyless season. It will be their first time in 16 years where Real Madrid will finish back-to-back seasons without a major trophy. This gives them extra motivation to try to pull a massive upset on Barcelona in the league. With only 7 matches remaining, it is unlikely for Barcelona to bottle this lead, but you never know in football.
The entire focus now has to shift towards La Liga. No more rotating the squad. Barcelona must act decisively. From here until the end of May, every training session, every recovery plan, and every tactical meeting is to be built around winning La Liga. This kind of focus changes things.
The squad has lacked match sharpness at times in recent weeks. Players like Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Yamal have been asked to carry heavy minutes across Champions League and La Liga. Now Hansi Flick can manage those minutes properly. He can rest the ones who need it, bring others back into rhythm, and still keep the team sharp.
Celta is trouble
The next test comes against Celta Vigo at home on April 22. On paper it looks like a simple home win, but this time it’s not that simple. Celta is a difficult team. Currently they sit in the 6th place of the table, and they are fighting for a Europa League place. Celta Vigo have always troubled bigger sides, and they will be extra motivated this time.
Still, this is the exact kind of fixture Barcelona have to put away if they want to turn that nine-point lead into something decisive. Three points here keeps the momentum rolling and sends a message to Madrid that the gap isn’t closing anytime soon.
The truth is the title has been in Barcelona’s hands for a while now. The Atlético result just made it clearer. There are no more distractions, no more “what if we go far in Europe” conversations in the dressing room. It’s La Liga or nothing.
Now it’s about seeing the job through. Seven games. Twenty-one points available. The Champions League dream is dead. The domestic one is very much alive, and it’s sitting right in front of us. It’s time Barcelona put this title race to bed and plan ahead for next season.
Is Barcelona heading in the right direction?
Flick has tried building something solid this year. The style is there, the fight is there, and the depth is finally showing. The highline is not the problem, but the execution and quality are, especially at the back. This is something Barcelona must figure out. Barcelona must look into the transfer market and bring in profiles that will elevate Barcelona from a team who chokes in big nights, to a team who has all figured out.
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