Real Madrid are a step closer to achieve an unprecedented feat. Come June 6, they can become the first team to defend their Champions League title. What’s more, they can even add another La Liga title to their collection of 32 titles. But we do not have to wait two months to find out if they can. The Los Blancos have a torrid run of fixtures at the start of next month, which could make or break their campaign.
2nd May – Sevilla (A), La Liga
6th May – Juventus (A), Champions League Semi Final 1st leg
9th May – Valencia (H),La Liga
14th May – Juventus (H), Champions League Semi Final 2nd leg
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, has come under a lot of pressure in the second of half of this season following the Club World Cup success in December last year. After being crowned the best club in the world, Madrid went on a disappointing run ceding the top spot in the La Liga to arch rivals Barcelona. They now sit tight 2 points adrift in second spot waiting for the Catalans to falter.
The Need to Survive
The odds are stacked against Ancelotti and his men. Injuries to key players such as Bale, Modric and Benzema has effected team selection and their style of play. The trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium is not an easy task. Sevilla are unbeaten at home this season. Nothing but three points will do for the Los Blancos. Even a draw will practically put Barcelona beyond reach in the title race. Following the trip to Sevilla, Madrid will travel to Italy to the Juventus stadium, which has been a fortress this season for the Turin based club. Juventus, just like Sevilla, are unbeaten at home conceding just 7 goals there all season.
The weekend after the midweek Champions league first leg in Turin, Madrid face Valencia at the Bernabeu. This should not be a difficult fixture for Madrid considering Valencia have won only 3 games on their travels. But fatigue in the Real Madrid camp will play a part and Valencia are no mere pushovers. The final game of this dreadful run of fixtures will see Juventus visit the Bernabeu. Juventus have not been particularly great away from home, winning 50% of their away games in the Serie A but then again the pressure of the occasion will play a part for the home side. Juventus have all but wrapped up the league, giving themselves the added advantage of resting all their key players for the Champions league fixtures. Madrid do not have that choice. The La Liga demands equal attention.
The Shine is wearing off
After beating Atletico Madrid by the skin of their teeth in the Quarter Finals, Madrid looked lacklustre this weekend against Celta Vigo, conceding two goals very softly. Barcelona on the other hand are playing a more convincing brand of football. It does not look like the Catalan side will slip up in their quest for their 23 La Liga title. But Madrid have to keep up the pressure and do their bit.
If Real Madrid come out unscathed after the two trips to Sevilla and Juventus earning positive results, they will have a new found optimism in their chances to win the league and the European double this season. The second leg of the Champions league semifinal might feature a returning Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. This will boost their chances of securing a berth in the final at Berlin, overturning the damage sustained in the first leg. As far as the La Liga is concerned, Barcelona still have to face Atletico Madrid. If Ancelotti and his men don’t slip up against Sevilla or Valencia, they are mathematically still in the race.