La Liga Greats Set for Titanic Clash
It is down to the wire to determine the winner of La Liga, and Real Madrid needs the win to keep their title race alive. This Sunday, May 10th, El Clásico will kick off at 10:15 a.m. EST with Barcelona looking to put the nail in the coffin and take home the coveted La Liga trophy. Coming off an upset in the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona is looking to walk away with a win this Sunday to end their season on a strong note, but Real Madrid is coming in hot. Can Real Madrid, who were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the quarter-finals, put all their energy into La Liga and play until the last whistle blows?
Barcelona is currently top of the table by four points; they would need to lose on Sunday and then once more before they are out of contention for the trophy. Having scored 12 goals in their last five matches, it doesn’t seem likely that they will go goalless in the next match, but Real Madrid just needs to hold them to one and attack as much as possible. Real Madrid’s lack of defensive protection during a counterattack is what has caused them the most pain this season, and there is no doubt a team like Barcelona will take advantage of that. As a team that has remained strong in this La Liga season, they are capable of ending it on Sunday, but one slip-up can cost them the match.
Robert Lewandowski is currently the top goal scorer in the league this season, with 25 successful attempts on goal. His fun celebrations are sure to rub salt in a wound that only Barcelona can open for Real Madrid, should they lose. Barcelona is playing at home, which can either make for a special celebration or a sour loss by the end of 90 minutes. Youngster Lamine Yamal is a player to watch in this match, as he is ranked first in La Liga for creating big chances, and when paired up with the lights in his home stadium, there is no telling what magic he will create.
Real Madrid have added an important key to their roster, Kylian Mbappé, who only trails Lewandowski by one goal in the league with 24. Mbappé is known for showing up in games against Barcelona, having scored against them twice in the last three head-to-head meetings. Los Blancos have yet to beat Barcelona this season, which gives them nothing to lose and everything to fight for. Despite a roster of defensive injuries, it is all or nothing for this star-studded team looking to close out the season on a positive note.
Since the first official La Liga El Clásico in 1929, the players and fans of both teams have lit up stadiums with passion and desire to win for the crest on their chest. The match is expected to be intense with a trophy still on the line, and it can almost be guaranteed that a swarm will fall upon the referee regardless of the calls. Carlo Ancelotti has been struggling to find his footing this season, managing a squad that was supposed to rise above all and succeed. This match is his chance to prove that all of the signings, headaches, and injuries have been worth it to hold that La Liga trophy in front of the fans.
