Barcelona only need a draw against Real Madrid in a high-stakes El Clasico to clinch back-to-back LaLiga titles later Sunday
Barcelona have an 11-point lead over their age-old rivals and while one point would be enough, a victory would keep them on course to make history – and celebrate in style.
If Barcelona win their last four league games this season, starting with the battle against Alvaro Arbeloa’s fracturing Madrid in Catalonia, they will match the all-time league record of 100 points.
Hansi Flick’s side will also become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game LaLiga season if they beat Madrid and then Real Betis the following weekend.
The tension around Madrid after a season in which they will finish without a trophy for just the fifth time this century burst to the surface in extraordinary fashion this week.
A post-training clash between French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and teammate Federico Valverde left the Uruguayan requiring hospital treatment for a head injury, and out for a fortnight.
Valverde’s explanation that he “accidentally” collided with a table during the argument “causing a small cut on my forehead” failed to smooth over the situation.
The club imposed a 500,000-euro ($590,000) fine on each player and said they have apologised to each other and to their teammates, the club’s staff, and to Madrid supporters.
Madrid coach Arbeloa said despite the confrontation, Tchouameni would be in the squad for the Clasico.
Adding to the raft of statistics, Barcelona could become the first team to clinch LaLiga in a Clasico since 1932, when Madrid won their first Spanish league.
Madrid will not be able to count on Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has been recovering from a hamstring injury and trained with his teammates on Friday, but he was not on the squad list issued by the club on social media on Sunday.
Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal will also watch from the stands, as the 18-year-old’s own hamstring injury is expected to sideline him until the World Cup.
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