Title Race Intensifies: Barça, Real Madrid, and Girona Face Crucial Fixtures

Is There a Title Race? The Calendar Ahead for Barça, Real Madrid, and Girona

Real Madrid’s stumble in Vallecas opens the door for Girona to potentially close the gap to just three points behind the whites by the end of the matchday. While Barça gains two points on the leaders with Lewandowski’s last-gasp goal in Vigo, they remain significantly behind in the title race.

The draw for Real Madrid in Vallecas won’t change the leadership, but it does present an opportunity to tighten the race for the title. A victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s side would have maintained, at the very least, a 5-point lead over Girona—who is yet to play this matchday—and a 10-point lead over FC Barcelona. However, the setback against Rayo Vallecano opens the door for Girona, especially.

Girona’s Challenge

Girona has the opportunity to narrow the gap to just 3 points behind Real Madrid, although the head-to-head goal difference is definitively lost. Míchel Sánchez’s side faces a tough task on Monday (21:00 CET) against Athletic Bilbao, currently fifth in the table, and aiming to break into the top four.

Barça’s Journey Ahead

FC Barcelona has had favorable fixtures since the setback against Villarreal (3-5), earning 10 out of 12 possible points. Victories against Osasuna (1-0), Alavés (1-3), and Celta (1-2) were marred by a draw at Granada (3-3). The upcoming schedule presents accessible home games against Getafe, Mallorca, and UD Las Palmas. However, daunting away fixtures against Athletic Club, Atlético de Madrid, Cádiz, and Real Madrid loom large.

Barça’s Upcoming Schedule:

Matchday 26: Barça vs. Getafe (24/2, 16:15 CET)
Matchday 27: Athletic Club vs. Barça (3/3, 21:00 CET)
Matchday 28: Barça vs. Mallorca (8/3, 21:00 CET)
Matchday 29: Atlético vs. Barça (16-17/3)
Matchday 30: Barça vs. UD Las Palmas (30-31/3)
Matchday 31: Cádiz vs. Barça (13-14/4)
Matchday 32: Real Madrid vs. Barça (20-21/4)

Real Madrid’s Path

Real Madrid faces a mixed bag of challenges in their upcoming fixtures. The visit to Mestalla poses a formidable test, and navigating Pamplona is no easy feat. Despite theoretically having to win all their matches at Santiago Bernabéu before El Clásico, Athletic Club could pose a threat.

Real Madrid’s Upcoming Schedule:

Matchday 26: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla (25/2, 21:00 CET)
Matchday 27: Valencia vs. Real Madrid (2/3, 21:00 CET)
Matchday 28: Real Madrid vs. Celta (10/3, 18:30 CET)
Matchday 29: Osasuna vs. Real Madrid (16-17/3)
Matchday 30: Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club (30-31/3)
Matchday 31: Mallorca vs. Real Madrid (13-14/4)
Matchday 32: Real Madrid vs. Barça (20-21/4)

Girona’s Crucial Tests

Girona aims to gain ground, especially in home games at Montilivi. The upcoming challenges include a Monday fixture at San Mamés and a notable visit to Civitas Metropolitano.

Girona’s Upcoming 8 Fixtures: