Barcelona players optimistic about La Liga despite potential eight-point gap

For the first time in years, Barcelona seem to have picked up form at the correct time of the season as they are on an 11-game unbeaten streak since losing to Villarreal 3-5 at the Olympic Montjuic Stadium.

Since then, they have scored four past Getafe, three past Napoli, three past Atletico Madrid, and are now coming off a chaotic, but important 1-0 win against Las Palmas ahead of their Champions League tie against PSG.

With the win yesterday, Barcelona were able to cut the deficit at the top of the table to five points, with Real Madrid set to play Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.

Despite the potential eight-point gap restoring, Barcelona are discreetly still confident about their chances in the league.

“Real Madrid will suffer”

Barcelona believe that they have made up ground at the correct time of the season, and that they can still contest for La Liga, as per a report by SPORT.

The Barcelona locker room are confident about their chances against Real Madrid for the upcoming El Clasico. They could potentially cut the deficit to eight there even if Carlo Ancelotti’s side win today vs Athletic.

Moreover, Barça players believe that Madrid could drop points at least once against Athletic or Mallorca, especially with the Manchester City clash on their mind.

Should Barcelona manage to make up ample ground by the end of the season and the league end with both sides on equal points – which is still possible, although highly improbable – head-to-head goal difference would need to separate the sides.

This means Xavi’s men would need to win El Clasico by at least two goals given Madrid won the reverse fixture 1-2.

Focus on the UCL?

While Barcelona being optimistic about their league chances is definitely helpful heading into a lot of games, the Catalans should ideally keep their eye on the ball in the Champions League.

They have been blessed with the ‘easier’ side of the bracket, and should they be able to see off PSG in the quarter-finals, one of Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund would await them in the semi-finals.

The Champions League also promises more income for Barcelona, and would potentially also convince Xavi to stay beyond the season.