Final stretch of LaLiga: Barça heads into the break as leaders with one game in hand

FC Barcelona regained the lead in LaLiga EA Sports 2024-25 just before the first international break of 2025. The team managed by Hansi Flick delivered another blow that could be decisive in the championship race, coming back against Atlético de Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano (2-4). The 'colchoneros' were leading 2-0 in the 70th minute, but the Catalans turned it around with their striking power and character.

With the victory, Barça ties with Real Madrid on points (60), but with one game less than the 'merengues' and the advantage of the direct matchup (4-0 in favor of the Catalans) and the goal difference. The azulgrana team left their goal difference at +48 after the comeback on Sunday, while Madrid remained at +32 after a narrow victory against Villarreal (1-2).

In this regard, Barça can extend their lead to 3 points over Real and 7 over Atleti if they defeat Osasuna in the postponed match from matchday 27. Initially, both teams are targeting Wednesday, May 21 as the most suitable date for the match in Montjuïc, provided the Catalans remain alive in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Atlético begins to say goodbye to another league title

Undoubtedly, the biggest loser from last week's results was the 'rojiblanco' team. Before matchday 27, Diego Simeone's team was second, just 1 point behind Barça and 2 ahead of Real Madrid. However, the defeat last Sunday at Getafe (1-2), along with the 'merengue' victory at home against Rayo (2-1), left the 'colchoneros' in third place in the standings.

To make matters worse, Madrid won again on Saturday at El Madrigal and, with the loss to Barça at home, Atlético is now 4 points behind both, a difference that could be 7 against the Catalans, counting the match against Osasuna. To top it off, the fourth goal from the azulgrana team at the Metropolitano, scored by Ferran Torres in the 90+6', gave the Catalans the definitive advantage in the direct matchup against the 'rojiblancos'.

Atleti had won 1-2 in Montjuïc on matchday 18, but the 2-4 on matchday 28 leaves the head-to-head between the two at 5-4 in favor of Barcelona. Thus, Flick's team maintains a solid lead over their pursuers with ten matchdays left in the championship. The Catalans, however, must not let their guard down, as they already faced a significant dip between November and December that allowed both Madrid teams to surpass them in the standings.

📌The advantages of Barça over Real and Atlético in the final stretch of the season:

• 🟢60 points with one game pending: Barça is leading with one match less played. The match against Osasuna will also be played in Montjuïc.
• 🟢Direct matchup almost settled: The victory at the Metropolitano allowed Barça to win the head-to-head against Atlético (5-4). Against Madrid, the score is 4-0.
• 🟢Manageable schedule: Barça has 11 matches left to play, 7 of them at home (Girona, Betis, Celta, Mallorca, Madrid, Osasuna, and Villarreal). Additionally, they will face four teams from the mid-lower table (Girona, Leganés, Valladolid, and Espanyol).
• 🟢The Clásico at Camp Nou: On matchday 35, Barça hosts Madrid, presumably at Spotify Camp Nou. The Catalans crushed the whites in the first round (0-4) and in the Supercopa de España final (2-5) and can seal the championship at home, with a capacity of 65,000 spectators in the culé temple.
• 🟢An unstoppable team in 2025: Barça heads into the March break as the best team in Europe by far. Flick's team has gone 18 matches unbeaten in all competitions in 2025 (15 wins and 3 draws). In LaLiga, they have 7 consecutive victories, with 23 goals scored and only 5 conceded.