La Liga Return: Analyzing Barcelona and Real Madrid

Check a complete analysis of Barcelona and Real Madrid, ahead of La Liga's return scheduled for June 11.

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Miguel Prazeres
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Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi

Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi

La Liga return is set for June 11 with the Sevilla Derby between Real Betis and Sevilla FC. Separated by just 2 points on top of the league, Barcelona and Real Madrid have 11 games to decide the 2019-20 La Liga champion. We analyze each team ahead of the competition's return.

Suarez joins the fight as Barcelona seeks to defend their slight advantage

Barcelona's goal is to defend the 2-point advantage they have from Real Madrid. Before La Liga's suspension, the Culés weren´t playing well and the need for improvement was recognized by some players, namely Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic.

Luis Suarez was set to miss the rest of the season due to injury. However, the league's suspension allowed the Uruguayan striker to recover and get back training with the group. With 11 goals and 7 assists, Suarez's availability is a key factor in Barcelona's chances to revalidate their title.

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi #10 during team warm up before the Barcelona V Alaves, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on December 21st, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi #10 during team warm up before the Barcelona V Alaves, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on December 21st, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Before the suspension, Barcelona was coming from 4 wins in the last 5 matches. The team had a 2-0 loss at Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid. Ahead of La Liga return, Barcelona faces difficult challenges away against Sevilla and Villarreal, while they'll host Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid are ready to reclaim La Liga

Despite defeating Barcelona at home, Real Madrid was living a difficult moment in the season. The team lost 2 of the last 3 La Liga matches before suspension and pressure was rising. With just 7 points in the last 5 matches, there were no positive signs for Real Madrid.

Los Blancos will need to win the remaining 11 matches and wait for Barcelona to lose points. Under Zidane's management, Real Madrid was capable of winning 11 league matches in a row in 2015/16 and they will try to repeat that mark.

Zidane has Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio ready to play and that is a great boost of confidence for what's left to play.

Eden Hazard of Real Madrid during the team's training session during the Covid-19 pandemic at Valdebebas training ground on May 18, 2020, in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images
Eden Hazard of Real Madrid during the team's training session during the Covid-19 pandemic at Valdebebas training ground on May 18, 2020, in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images

Barcelona lost points in 8 of their 13 away matches in the competition and that is a point Real Madrid is relying on to recover the leadership in La Liga.

Ahead of La Liga return, Real Madrid will face some difficult challenges at home against Valencia, Getafe, and Villarreal. The team is also scheduled for difficult trips, namely against Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao.

The question remains: Who will be the 2019-20 Spanish Champion?

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