"The title fight will be great" - Former Real Madrid star makes bold claims about LaLiga title race despite Barcelona leading by 6 points
Former Real Madrid centre-back Nacho Fernandez has tipped Real Madrid to beat Barcelona and win LaLiga 2024-25 despite their shaky form. The La Fabrica graduate is a record six-time Champions League winner with Los Blancos and moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah this summer on a free transfer.
With 33 points in 13 games, Barca currently boast a six-point lead over Los Blancos (27). However, Carlo Ancelotti's side have a game in hand. City rivals Atletico Madrid are also snapping at their heels with 26 points from 13 matches.
Real Madrid's form in LaLiga has been bullish after their 4-0 thumping of Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, November 9. A hattrick by Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham's first goal of the season sealed the deal for the home side.
On the other hand, Barca were handed their second loss of the LaLiga season in their last match against Real Sociedad. A first-half goal by Sheraldo Becker was enough to seal the deal for Imanol Alguacil at the Reale Arena on Sunday, November 10.
Speaking about the chances of both sides clinching the LaLiga title this season, Nacho said (via @theMadridZone on X and reported by @COPE):
“Barcelona are playing well, the title fight will be great. But, I think Real Madrid will win La Liga.”
The Spanish defender has won the league four times with Los Blancos, in 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2024. Last season, Real Madrid (95) were runaway winners of LaLiga, while second-placed Barcelona finished 10 points behind.
Barcelona outclassed Real Madrid 4-0 the last time the two sides met in LaLiga
Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 by Hansi Flick's Barcelona in his first El Clasico as a manager on October 26 at Santiago Bernabeu. It was Barca's first win against Carlo Ancelotti's side in five El Clasicos.
The first half ended goalless with both teams getting chances but failing to convert them. Robert Lewandowski started the scoring for Barca with two quickfire goals in the second half (54' and 56'). La Masia prodigy Lamine Yamal then beat Andriy Lunin with a right-footed bullet in the 77th minute.
In the 84th minute, Raphinha completed the onslaught for the visitors with an audacious chip, hoodwinking the goalkeeper and making it 4-0 for La Blaugrana.
For the home side, the real nemesis was Barca's offside trap. The visitors maintained a high defensive line throughout the game, catching the hosts in an offside position 12 times. Barcelona, in comparison, strayed offside just once.