The 2024/25 season has been one to remember – and to forget – for Spanish football giants Barcelona.
What has no doubt been one of the club’s best season runs came crashing down on Tuesday night – bringing to an end a quest for a quadruple and an opportunity to announce a return to supremacy at home and in Europe after a few difficult seasons.
Having already bagged the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey in dominant displays against eternal rivals Real Madrid, the Blaugrana were looking to go one better and book a place in the Champions League final.
It was never to be. In an exhilarating encounter, the Catalans fell 4-3 (7-6 aggregate) to Inter Milan after 120 minutes of football. While the game will be remembered by neutrals as one of the greatest European clashes in recent years, the outcome will make for grim reading for Barça fans whose team looked headed for the final when Raphinha put them 3-2 up in the 87th minute.
Inter, however, had other ideas, equalizing in the 90+3rd minute before completing the comeback in extra time. The result now leaves Barcelona needing to consolidate their four-point league lead to be crowned champions of Spain.
The twist is they face second-placed Real Madrid, again, this weekend, with Los Blancos eager to exert revenge after Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey defeats.
Should Real Madrid (75 points) win, they will cut Barcelona’s lead by three points, providing another dramatic title run-in with three matches to go.
As things stand, it’s safe to say we don’t know who will clinch the La Liga title.
For defending champions Real Madrid, a chance to reclaim the title should provide the right motivation after a disappointing season where they have largely looked average at home and in Europe.
The last time Los Blancos managed back-to-back league wins was in the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons, and you can’t rule them out of the race having posted four narrow wins in a row, all by a one-goal margin. Their biggest concern, though, is the inferior goal difference compared to Barça’s.
After El Clásico, Real will face RCD Mallorca at home, Sevilla FC (away), and Real Sociedad (home).
Having had an outstanding first season at Barcelona, head coach Hansi Flick will, meanwhile, be looking to make a statement by claiming his maiden Spanish title. After playing Real Madrid, Flick will lead his side against RCD Espanyol (away), Villarreal CF (home), before closing the season away at Athletic Club.
