After a rather frustrating half and more so against CA Osasuna, Real Madrid ended up emerging victorious against a resilient opposition at El Sadar, with both goals in their 2-0 victory coming after the 70th-minute mark.
Courtesy of this victory, Real Madrid now close the gap between themselves and league leaders FC Barcelona down to 5 points from a previous gap of 8. Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio were the two goal scorers attributed for the much-needed victory for Los Blancos.
However, the Whites of Madrid have played a game more than their Catalan adversaries, so FC Barcelona can still return to their initial 8-point lead over Real Madrid should they manage to overcome their next La Liga Santander hurdle in the form of 16th-placed Andalusian side Cadiz, who travel to the Spotify Camp Nou for their 22nd games of the league season simultaneously.
FC Barcelona do have reasons to worry, however, given that arguably both their star midfielder and star defender will be absent for this clash. Pedri is indefinitely out for a month due to a thigh injury sustained against Manchester United in a recent game, whereas Ronald Araujo is suspended for the matchup against Cadiz courtesy of an accumulation of five yellow cards. However, they do regain the services of captain and veteran Sergio Busquets, who returns from injury and is included within the squad list to face Cadiz.
Following this game against Cadiz, both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will turn their heads to their respective European clashes against the English giants of Manchester United and Liverpool, before then returning to La Liga action where again Real Madrid will play their 23rd match of the season against Atletico Madrid before Barcelona get a chance to compete in theirs against Almeria, giving Los Blancos a chance to continue to breathe down La Blaugrana’s necks.
