“The critical situations are in April” - Ex-Real Madrid star backs Los Blancos to beat Barcelona to La Liga title despite slow start
Former Real Madrid forward Fernando Morientes believes Los Blancos will pip Barcelona to the LaLiga title this season. Carlo Ancelotti's team are currently second on the league table after 16 games, two points behind the Catalans.
However, Hansi Flick's men have played a game more and Real Madrid can go to the top with a win against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday (December 14). Barcelona next face Leganes in the league on Sunday (December 15).
Speaking recently, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, Morientes insisted that his former team should focus on building momentum right now.
“I’ve seen critical situations in December that have ended in La Liga, in the Champions League… the critical situations are in April. The other day I heard Ancelotti say that the important thing is to be fighting for everything at this time of year. And in the Champions League, it’s the same,” Morientes said.
Los Blancos have won 11 games in the league this season and lost just twice. They have scored 34 goals and conceded 13 in LaLiga so far.
However, Real Madrid haven't been in their element in the Champions League this season, winning three games and losing three so far. They are 20th on the league table after six games.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have won five of their six games in the Champions League and are second on the table. They have won 12 of their 17 games in LaLiga, scoring 50 goals and conceding 19.
Have Barcelona and Real Madrid faced each other this season?
Barcelona and Real Madrid have already faced off in the first El Clasico of the season on October 26. The two giants clashed at the Santiago Bernabeu in LaLiga and it was the Catalans who came out on top.
Los Blancos suffered a demoralizing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Hans Flick's team. Robert Lewandowski scored a brace, while Raphinha and Lamine Yamal also got on the scoresheet to give Barcelona a win.
Despite the presence of Kylian Mbappe in the team, Real Madrid failed to make an impression on the night. The French superstar arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer as a free agent but has endured a difficult time so far.
Mbappe has registered 12 goals and two assists from 22 games across competitions. However, the 25-year-old picked up an injury during the 3-2 win over Atalanta in midweek (December 10) and is currently sidelined.