By Fernando Kallas
MADRID (Reuters) – LaLiga leaders Real Madrid are virtually assured of a record-extending 36th Spanish title after Jude Bellingham’s late goal secured a 3-2 comeback win over Barcelona last Sunday.
Second-placed Barca are 11 points with six games left, so Real only need seven more points to reclaim the title from their bitter rivals.
Real dealt another blow to Barca, who were already licking their wounds after they were knocked out of the Champions League in a painful 4-1 defeat by Paris St Germain.
However, they have no time to dwell on a trophyless season as surprise packages Girona are third in LaLiga on 68 points, only two behind local rivals Barca and eager to make a run for a top-two LaLiga finish and a place in the Spanish Super Cup.
Facing deepening financial problems related to their massive wage bill, a 1.2 billion euro debt and a 1.6 billion-euro Camp Nou stadium renovation project, missing out on a potential 6.6 million euros for winning the competition in Saudi Arabia would be another huge blow for Barcelona.
Re-energised by manager Xavi Hernandez reversing his decision to step down at the end of the season, Barca host eight-placed Valencia on Monday before visiting Girona, who led the league for several months before being overtaken by Real Madrid.
Seven points further down the standings sit a battered Atletico Madrid, fourth on 61 points and also under pressure as they brace to host Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Diego Simeone’s side are coming off a disappointing 2-0 loss to lowly Alaves after being knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund.
Fifth-placed Bilbao, four points behind Atletico, travel to Madrid to push for a top-four finish that would earn them a Champions League spot next season.
Real Madrid travel to the Basque Country on Friday to face sixth-placed Real Sociedad with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, first leg at Bayern Munich looming.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Ed Osmond)
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