It would have been hard to imagine in mid-December that, by the first weekend in April, Barcelona would have the LaLiga Santander title’s fate entirely in their hands.
Before Christmas, Barcelona looked cut adrift from Atletico Madrid. But Ronald Koeman‘s side have turned things around extraordinarily, winning 12 of their 13 games in 2021.
Atletico’s slip at Sevilla on Sunday has presented the Catalans with a huge opportunity as they host Real Valladolid on Monday evening, with a win moving them one point behind Los Colchoneros.
A lot of factors have contributed to their upturn in form. Lionel Messi has been excellent, Koeman has found a system that work, and a lot of youngsters are stepping up – Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, in particular.
They’re now coming into a 12-day stretch that will go a long way to defining their season. First up they take on Valladolid, then there’s El Clasico, and then the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club.
Valladolid arrive at the Camp Nou on Monday with as many as 12 players out, and Sergio Gonzalez admitted that his side had suffered a “shitty week”, with a lot of positive coronavirus tests adding to their injury absences.
As a result, he’s had to call up a number of youth team players for the trip to Barcelona.
