MADRID – La Liga leaders Real Madrid is virtually assured of a record-extending 36th Spanish title after Jude Bellingham’s late goal secured a 3-2 comeback win over Barcelona last Sunday.
Second-placed Barca is 11 points with six games left, so Real only need seven more points to reclaim the title from their bitter rivals, Reuters reported.
Real dealt another blow to Barca, who were already licking their wounds after they were knocked out of the Champions League in a painful 4-1 defeat by Paris St Germain.
However, they have no time to dwell on a trophyless season as surprise packages Girona are third in La Liga on 68 points, only two behind local rivals Barca and eager to make a run for a top-two La Liga finish and a place in the Spanish Super Cup.
Facing deepening financial problems related to their massive wage bill, a 1.2 billion euro debt and a 1.6 billion-euro Camp Nou stadium renovation project, missing out on a potential 6.6 million euros for winning the competition in Saudi Arabia would be another huge blow for Barcelona.
Re-energised by manager Xavi Hernandez reversing his decision to step down at the end of the season, Barca will host eight-placed Valencia on Monday before visiting Girona, who led the league for several months before being overtaken by Real Madrid.
Seven points further down the standings sit a battered Atletico Madrid, fourth on 61 points and also under pressure as they brace to host Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Diego Simeone’s side is coming off a disappointing 2-0 loss to lowly Alaves after being knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund.
Fifth-placed Bilbao, four points behind Atletico, travels to Madrid to push for a top-four finish that would earn them a Champions League spot next season.
Real Madrid will travel to the Basque Country to face sixth-placed Real Sociedad with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final; first leg at Bayern Munich looming.
With Real Madrid cruising to the Spanish league title, the focus shifts to the battle for fourth place and the final Champions League berth.
Atletico Madrid hosts Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in a game that could go a long way to deciding which goes to Europe´s elite competition next season.
Atletico holds fourth place, but Diego Simeone´s side has only a three-point advantage over Athletic in fifth with six games remaining.
“Our big goal is to finish in the top four in La Liga,” Atletico defender Stefan Savic said according to AP.
“We have an important game against a rival for the fourth Champions League berth. We know how important the match is and I am sure we will play a great game and take the three points at home.”
Athletic has not played in the Champions League since the 2014-15 season, while Atletico is a regular participant.
Athletic, a team that fields players only from or near Spain´s northern Basque Country region, is enjoying its best campaign in years. It ended a four-decade wait for a major title when it won the Copa del Rey this month.
“Saturday´s game at Atletico Madrid is a final, for us,” Athletic midfielder Inigo Galarreta said. “This team wants to end the season well and we have an exciting challenge ahead.”
Girona, in third, is seven points clear of Atletico before it plays at Las Palmas also on Saturday.
Madrid opened a commanding 11-point lead over second-placed Barcelona after winning the Clasico 3-2 last weekend in the capital. Now it can fully focus on its Champions League semifinal with Bayern Munich next week.
