According to reports, despite unexpected difficulties, Barcelona won 2-1 against Real Valladolid and returned home with a seven-point lead over Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s victory in Valladolid has put Carlo Ancelotti’s team under more pressure to win today at Santiago Bernabéu against Celta Vigo. Any result other than a win—a draw or loss—would give Barcelona the chance to secure the title next Sunday in the return leg of El Clasico at Montjuïc. However, for this to happen, Barcelona needs Real Madrid to drop points today and win El Clasico themselves. Otherwise, they will have to wait a bit longer for the title celebrations.

If Real Madrid draws today, the gap will shrink to six points, and if Barcelona wins El Clasico, they will secure the title three weeks before the end due to their superior head-to-head record. Real Madrid has already lost two titles in direct clashes with Barcelona this season (Super Cup and Copa del Rey) and certainly does not want to lose La Liga in another duel with their rivals.

However, before thinking about the La Liga title, Barcelona must first face Inter Milan in a final at Giuseppe Meazza on Tuesday. To reach the Munich final, Barcelona must defeat Nerazzurri after a 3-3 draw in the first leg at Montjuïc.