Sunday’s pulsating Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu was in many ways a microcosm of this exciting Primera season, with the lead repeatedly changing and plenty of thrills and spills along the way.
The result was totally unpredictable and that remains the case in La Liga with little to choose between the top three.
The psychological advantage gained by Barcelona after doing the double over their fiercest rivals should not be under-estimated. Aside from their two Clasico defeats, Real Madrid have lost only once all season, 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid.
In contrast, Barcelona have looked unconvincing in recent weeks, with defeats at Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid calling their title credentials seriously into question.
Real Madrid have looked unstoppable since the New Year, hitting top form, scoring goals for fun and seemingly timing their run perfectly to overtake Barcelona and leave them trailing in the final push to the finishing line.
Carlo Ancelotti’s formidable forward trio, supplied by a world class midfield combination, has systematically dismantled opponents both home and away just as Barcelona, so convincing early in the season, looked as if they were fading.
In hindsight, there were signs that the tables might be turning just a week before the Clasico. Los Blancos arrived on the Costa del Sol and were expected to turn Malaga over with ease as they warmed up for the showdown with the Catalans.
Frustrated by their opponents, Madrid were made to work for their three points and, although the win was never in doubt, the margin of victory, 1-0, was ultimately underwhelming.
Barcelona, on the other hand, had the perfect Clasico build-up, a 7-0 demolition of Osasuna at Camp Nou inspired by a Lionel Messi hat-trick, following two defeats in the previous three games.
Victory over the men from Pamplona would routinely be nothing to crow about, but such has been the pedestrian nature of the latter part of their season that fans of La Blaugrana were, correctly as it turned out, hailing the win as a turning point.
This season has been a frustrating one for Messi, with fatigue, injury and a drop in form making life hard for the Argentine. Nevertheless, a Primera tally of 21 goals in 22 appearances, including hat-tricks in the last two games, is hardly a record to complain about and only looks disappointing in the context of history.
Despite his barren early season, Messi’s form in the remaining nine matches is likely to be the key for Barca.
With a further round of games in midweek, tonight provides Barca with a platform for consolidation of their return to form when they take on Celta Vigo at Camp Nou, while Madrid can bounce back as they travel to Sevilla.
Tata Martino saw his men win comfortably 3-0 in the reverse fixture in October, while Los Blancos won a remarkable game against Sevilla 7-3 with a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick and two each from Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
Madrid are likely to be without the suspended Sergio Ramos, pending an appeal, red-carded in the Clasico on his return from a previous ban, but it is Atletico Madrid who represent the main barrier for both Madrid and Barca.
A win for Atleti against Granada tonight will see Diego Simeone’s side remain top of the pile – at least until the weekend.
