By Fernando Kallas
MADRID (Reuters) – Real Madrid’s fans are getting ready to celebrate clinching the LaLiga title and the party could start as early as Saturday if the leaders beat lowly Cadiz and Barcelona fail to win at Girona later in the day.
With only five games left, Carlo Ancelotti’s side sit top of the standings on 84 points, 11 ahead of Barca in second and 13 clear of third-placed Girona.
If hosts Real beat third-from-bottom Cadiz, the players will go to a restaurant to watch bitter rivals Barca battle against a gritty Girona side.
Their Catalan derby tussle could decide who finishes second and secures a place in the Spanish Super Cup, but if Barca fail to win it will also kick off Real’s celebrations.
For Barca, second-place in the standings will be little more than a consolation prize in a trophyless season.
With the club facing deepening financial problems related to their massive wage bill, a 1.2 billion euro ($1.28 billion) debt and a 1.6 billion euro Camp Nou stadium renovation project, qualifying for the Super Cup would be a boost.
While missing out on a potential 6.6 million euros for winning the competition in Saudi Arabia would be another blow for last-season’s champions.
In contrast Real’s concerns seem far less problematic. They are debating whether to hold their traditional trophy celebrations at the city’s Cibeles Fountain immediately after the Barca game concludes or to wait for a later date so there is no distraction ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final, return leg against Bayern Munich, sources told Reuters.
Following a 2-2 draw in Germany on Tuesday, Real can count on the support of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd to roar them to an 18th final as they bid for a record-extending 15th European Cup triumph.
“It will be another 90 minutes of suffering but in an atmosphere that we know quite well. The fans are going to help us,” Ancelotti said after the game in Germany when he criticised his players’ effort.
If Barca beat Girona then even with a win against Cadiz, Real would have to wait until May 11, when a draw at Granada would be enough to clinch a record-extending 36th Spanish title with three games left.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis)
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