As April begins, Barcelona enters the decisive phase of the season with the margin for error reduced to a minimum and a dual objective that excites Barça: to reclaim the Spanish championship and fight until the end for the Champions League, the competition that generates the most enthusiasm as it hasn't been won since 2015. There are 9 matches left to play and 27 points at stake, and Hansi Flick's team is four points ahead of Real Madrid.
A gap that doesn't allow for many missteps, so every match carries the weight of a final, with particular importance placed on the "Clásico" at the "Spotify Camp Nou" on matchday 35. The league situation demands they maintain near-perfect consistency. The same consistency Barcelona has shown in recent matches, with their last loss being against Girona on February 16, during which they have demonstrated great solidity and improved their defensive records.
Of the nine remaining matches, four are at home (Espanyol, Celta, Real Madrid, and Betis) and five are away (Atlético, Getafe, Osasuna, Alavés, and Valencia). Barça's squad has turned the "Spotify Camp Nou" into a true fortress, where they haven't lost a single match, and now boast 62,000 loyal fans at every game and the real strength this team has on its home turf. Barcelona has returned to work without the players who are away with their respective national teams, but already thinking about the upcoming head-to-head clash against Atlético Madrid, which could define the season both in sporting and emotional terms.
The first of these duels will be on Saturday at the Metropolitano, precisely the stadium where the team suffered their worst defeat of the season, a 4-0 loss in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. Winning would not only mean gaining points but also sending a message of authority to their pursuer, Real Madrid. An easy duel is not expected because Simeone's team always demands maximum concentration and being at the highest level. Saturday will be the first real test against Atlético, with others to follow. The schedule allows no rest.