Barcelona’s celebration after their victory over Real Madrid at the weekend, in what turned out to be Carlo Ancelotti’s final El Clásico, was equal parts hilarious and taunting. While the league isn’t mathematically over, the pendulum has clearly swung in Barça’s favour. Just one more win will seal the title, and based on current form, that feels inevitable. It also highlights just how far Madrid have fallen this season, both in consistency and confidence.
To be fair, Madrid’s season has been plagued by defensive injuries, and the cracks were visible yet again against Barcelona. It’s been a recurring theme; a once-solid backline now looking exposed and brittle. Preparing for next season is now the realistic option, but I’m not convinced that bringing in someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool is the solution. While he's brilliant going forward, Madrid's problem lies more in defensive solidity than attacking flair from fullback positions.
On the flip side, what a revelation Lamine Yamal has been for Barcelona. He’s playing well beyond his years, and every performance seems to reinforce that he’s the standout talent of his age group. It may be too early for Messi comparisons, but there’s no doubt Barcelona have unearthed something special. If managed properly, he could become the foundation for their next era of dominance.