Barcelona can win the league: Xavi

Barcelona are once again dreaming big after a slight slump at the start to the campaign. The head coach Xavi feels they can still win the La Liga title. The Catalan club is currently placed fourth in the league standings with 48 points from 26 games, 15 points adrift of the leaders Real Madrid, who have played 27 games. Barca won three league games in a row to get back into the top-four of the points table after a disastrous start to the season. Xavi’s arrival in November has certainly galvanised the Blaugrana.

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Barca still need seven points to reach second-spot but with a game in hand and a meeting with second-placed Sevilla coming next month Xavi’s side has a very good chance of challenging for the title in the future. 

Barcelona still have 12 more games and Xavi seems to be optimistic about the title challenge. “Mathematics say that we can win the league, so why not?” Xavi said. “The others are failing but not Real Madrid. They have time on their side. It’s very difficult, but not impossible.”

The Blaugrana are now on an impressive run having won their last three league games, scored ten goals and conceded just one. The arrival of new recruits in January has certainly rejuvenated the Blaugrana. 

The likes of Adama Traoure, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Feran Torres are slowly finding their feet in the Spanish league. Aubameyang had a brilliant start to his new stint, scoring a hat-trick against Valencia in the 4-1 win on 20th February.  

Meanwhile Traore has been phenomenal with his pace, physicality and trickey on the right flank while Torres has netted once and registered two assists in his six league appearances so far. 

Barca’s next challenge is away from home against Osasuna and a victory will take them to 51 points level with third-placed Atletico Madrid. And then, Xavi’s side will travel to Istanbul for the Europa League last-16 second leg fixture against Galatasaray on 17th March before facing Real Madrid in the El Classico three days later. 

It’s going to be a tough week for Xavi as he has two big games coming at the gap of just three days. The first-leg clash against Galatasaray at home ended 0-0 and therefore Barca will need a win to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition. 

“La Liga and the Europa League are the two goals but the first is to be in the Champions League next year,” said Xavi. “We’re already fourth and the goals now are the two remaining titles. La Liga doesn’t lie to you.”