Real Madrid Facing Race Against Clock to Be Ready for El Clasico
Tick, tock. Real Madrid have four games to prepare for El Clasico, and there is plenty of work to be done.
On March 22, Carlo Ancelotti's men travel to Barcelona to face Luis Enrique's men, knowing a repeat of their October triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu will wrap up the title for them—they are four points clear of Barcelona at La Liga’s summit at the moment.
That was a stunning victory, one which put Barcelona on a tail-spin, with the shell-shocked Blaugrana troops returning back to Catalonia and losing again, to Celta Vigo.
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Real Madrid destroyed Barcelona's unbeaten run in the league that day, with the win creating many doubts over Enrique's ability to handle big games.
Given that Barcelona also lost to Paris Saint-Germain, people were worried that the Asturian side was too weak to manage occasions like these.
However, in the months since, Barcelona have improved. Both as a team, with Lionel Messi comfortable on the right, Neymar thriving on the left and Luis Suarez running himself into the ground between them, and also in terms of mentality.
In 2015, after their shocking defeat at Anoeta by Real Sociedad, they put together a tremendous winning run, in which Enrique proved that he can master big clashes.
They beat La Liga champions Atletico Madrid three times, once in the league and twice in the Copa del Rey. They have one foot in the final of that cup competition, too.
And, after a surprising 1-0 defeat by Malaga at the Camp Nou, they bounced back in spectacular fashion against Manchester City.
The first-half showing by Barcelona was something truly special, a whirlwind of quick passing and razor-sharp attacking play.
That is how Enrique will expect his men to perform when Real Madrid come calling, as opposed to the limp, pathetic performance they offered up the first time around.
And Real Madrid must be ready for that. At the moment, it's difficult to believe they are.
Twenty days ago they were pounded, pummeled by Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.
The 4-0 defeat was an embarrassment and the repercussions went on for days, with Cristiano Ronaldo being criticised for daring to have a birthday party after the game.
Since then, they have played three times and recorded three 2-0 victories.
None of them has been particularly brilliant; Isco is flourishing, but aside from that, everyone else seems a little below par.
There's nothing wrong with beating Deportivo, Schalke and Elche by two goals to nil, but this group of players is performing within themselves at the moment.
None of those matches looked like slipping away from Madrid, but they weren't overly convincing, either.
And with home games against Villarreal, Schalke and Levante coming up, they don't have long to get it right before they face Barcelona.
The best opportunity they have to build confidence and form is away against Athletic Club. The Bilbao side welcome Madrid to the new San Mames on March 7, and it is an opportunity to gain revenge for what happened last year, when Cristiano's nose was put out of joint.
After clashing with Carlos Gurpegi, the Portuguese forward was sent off as the team stumbled and ended up with a 1-1 draw, ending a winning run of eight games.
If Madrid can go to the Basque Country and rack up a big win against Ernesto Valverde's side, that will do wonders for them ahead of the Clasico.
Barcelona play Manchester City at home in the week building up to the game, so they will be sharp, ready to play at high levels against strong opponents.
Madrid don't have that chance, so they need to start ramping up their game now, doing the most they can to be ready for the Clasico.
Win the Clasico, win the league will no doubt be splashed across the front of AS or Marca ahead of the match.
It's approaching fast. Tick, tock.
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