Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Girona at home on Thursday night. Thomas Lemar’s long-range shot gave Girona the equaliser and secured a point for the team. What’s more important is that in the process, Madrid dropped two vital points as well.
This outcome leaves Barcelona in a very comfortable position at the top of La Liga. The Catalans currently sit on 76 points from 30 matches; six points clear of Real Madrid, and with a game in hand. With a fixture in hand, Barcelona sit on a comfortable lead at the top, as the season moves towards its closing stages.
This cushion matters when Barcelona host Espanyol for the Catalan Derby tonight. While the Derby still demands full commitment, Barcelona now have the option to approach the match with a slightly more relaxed and measured outlook. Heavy rotation must be something Hansi Flick has thought about for this match. The number one priority must be to preserve energy for the far more demanding encounter against Atlético Madrid that lies just around the corner.
Espanyol will arrive extra motivated for the three points. However, Barcelona need to be smart here. After Madrid’s latest slip at home, Barcelona do not need to chase the game and risk unnecessary fatigue. Full focus must remain on Atletico’s 2nd leg clash next week. A professional performance should be enough to secure the win, while keeping the players fresh for the tougher test that follows next week.
If Barcelona take all three points tonight, their lead would stretch to nine points, and with this kind of margin, they would feel that the league is almost over. But even in the worst-case scenario; Barcelona dropping points against Espanyol, there would still be enough of a margin to make Barcelona feel that they are in control of the league.
The focus must be on smart management as much as on the result itself. The squad has shown good consistency and depth this season. The night offers a rare opportunity to lean on the squad depth in the pursuit of the title without compromising anything for the vital clash that happens next week at the Metropolitano.