According to reports, Barcelona successfully navigated a tough match against Celta Vigo, while Atletico Madrid, after losing to Las Palmas, has practically dropped out of the title race. Now, it seems the championship is only between two teams: Barcelona and Real Madrid. This competition has taken on a special significance with the Copa del Rey final and Barcelona’s presence in the Champions League.

Yesterday’s matches had several important conclusions for the title race: Barcelona strengthened their lead, Real Madrid is under full pressure tonight against Athletic Bilbao, and Atletico Madrid, after losing to Las Palmas, is almost out of contention.

La Liga has now turned into a two-horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid, with two decisive encounters in the coming weeks: one real, in the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja on April 26, and the other virtual, in El Clásico at Montjuïc on May 11, which could determine the La Liga champion or intensify the competition.

Many events depend on tonight’s match at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid, struggling after their Champions League elimination, hosts an Athletic Bilbao side in high spirits after reaching the Europa League semifinals. Ancelotti also cannot count on Kylian Mbappé, who is suspended due to a red card last week. Athletic Bilbao also has problems with the absence of Nico Williams, confirmed on Saturday. However, this match is more critical for Real Madrid, who need three points to keep pace with Barcelona.

The schedule for both teams is as follows:

Barcelona
Barcelona knows that at this stage of the season, no match is easy. If Celta caused them problems, Mallorca, a team with a similar style but different tools, could also be a tough opponent, and Barcelona’s next match is against them. This match is a prelude to a period where all titles will be decided: the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, a relatively easier match against relegation-threatened Valladolid, and then the second leg of the European semifinal. The subsequent match against Real Madrid at Montjuïc could be decisive for the La Liga title, which now seems within Barcelona’s grasp. However, any slip-up could turn this path into a bumpy road. The end of Barcelona’s season is also tough: a derby at home against Espanyol, a home match against Villarreal, and the final match at San Mamés against Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid
The situation for Real Madrid has now completely changed. Elimination from the Champions League has reduced their number of matches, giving them more rest time, but the pressure to avoid a trophy-less season has increased.

Tonight, Real Madrid faces a real “match-ball” in La Liga at the Bernabéu against Athletic Bilbao, without the suspended Mbappé. Next week, they also have a tough match at Getafe. After overcoming these two hurdles, Real Madrid enters a decisive phase: the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, hosting Celta Vigo, who previously troubled Flick’s team, and El Clásico at Montjuïc, where Real Madrid’s hopes of proving their La Liga title chances depend. Matches against Mallorca at the Bernabéu, a trip to Sevilla, and the final match against Real Sociedad will shape the end of this journey.