Barcelona wins their 24th title.
This is supposed to be a 2 horse race. Barcelona and Real Madrid are expected to take charge of the domestic league in Spain. El Clasico is the title decider. This is what we expect from La Liga. The title is usually a battle of the two footballing giants, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.
Barcelona was coming into the season as Treble winners. They were looking sharp with arguably the best-attacking trio in the world. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr.
Because of their performance from the season before, they were expected to defending their league title.
After 38 rounds of the 2015/16 La Liga season, Barcelona sat on the pile with 91 points from 29 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses. Outscoring opposition 12-29.
They started their season winning their first 4 matches. They suffered their first defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo, a team that had started the season just as brilliant as Barcelona by winning 3 of their first 4 matches and a draw in one. It was a shocking 4-1 loss that took Celta Vigo on the top of the La Liga table.
Their next match was against Las Palmas, have they won the match but lost their star man Lionel Messi. With a 2-1 win over Las Palmas and losing 4-1 to Celta Vigo the match before, it was looking like the sun was setting on Barcelona’s title defense.
The league match that followed confirmed what the football world was thinking. Barcelona was defeated 2-1 by Sevilla. The title was going to Madrid.
They had gone on a streak of 23 undefeated matches after that defeat. 19 wins and 4 draws.
Their final undefeated match in that streak was also the beginning of a winless streak that made the title race exciting for all but Barcelona and their fans.
Their last undefeated match in the league was a match many would think Barcelona let slipped away. Playing away to Villarreal and up 2-0 at halftime was supposed to be a guaranteed 3 points for Barcelona.
They allowed 2 unanswered goals in the second half to end the match a 2-2 draw. A win would have placed them 11 points clear on top of the league. But settling for 9 points clear wasn’t the worst thing in football.
El Clasico was next, and being unable to extend their lead meant that any mistake against Real Madrid will cost them. Real Madrid had been thrashed 4-0 at home in the previous meeting, but that was under Rafa Benitez.
Under the management of Zinedine Zidane, the team looked like they were enjoying their football. Real Madrid came back from a goal down to win by 2 goals to 1. The numerical advantage did not help Barcelona when Sergio Ramos was sent off in the 85th minute.
The defeat to Madrid brought their 9 points lead to down to 6. Barcelona sat 6 points above Atletico Madrid and 7 above Real Madrid.
An away match against Real Sociedad followed. An early goal from Mikel Oiarzabal in the 5th minute and good defensive organization was enough to keep Barcelona from getting any points from their match against Real Sociedad.
With both Madrid teams winning their matches, the lead was cut to 3 points. Just a match away. Barcelona was 3 points ahead of Atletico and 4 points ahead of Real.
According to the script, playing at home against Valencia guaranteed 3 points. Not this day. Valencia was 2-0 at halftime. Lionel Messi halved the lead in the second half, but that was the best Barcelona could get from that night. Match ended 2-1 in Valencia’s favor.
Barcelona had used all their credit. Any more slip ups and the trophy will be buying a ticket to Madrid. They sat on top of the league table but tied on points with Atletico Madrid and just a point over Real Madrid.
The pressure was on. Pressure makes and breaks. And Barcelona showed quality by not breaking. They filled up the hole they dug.
After their defeat Valencia, they had to win all 5 of their remaining league matches to guarantee themselves of the title. They won all 5 without conceding a single goal.
Luis Suarez finished as league top scorer with 40 goals.
Judging by the end of the season, the competition should be tougher for 2016/17 La Liga season. Any team that has the ambition of winning the title should plan on avoiding as many slip ups as possible.
Will next season be three league title in a row for Barcelona? Or will their arch rival Real Madrid do something about their mini drought in league titles? Or will it be another steal from Atletico Madrid?
