Second place: A realistic goal for a revived Barça

Barcelona, Spain Mar 14 (EFE).- Having sunk to as low as ninth, Barcelona’s LaLiga turnaround to go unbeaten in 12 games, capped off with a fourth consecutive win against Osasuna this weekend, has moved them to within five points of second-placed Sevilla in the final stretch of the season.

Barça have a game in hand, meaning a second-place finish is well within the realm of possibilities. LaLiga leaders Real Madrid are currently 12 points above their Catalan nemesis but their is still a Clasico derby left to play.

“The league, and winning at the Bernabeu, is really difficult,” Xavi Hernández, Barcelona’s coach, said after the team’s 4-0 victory against Osasuna.

“Real Madrid have only lost two games and we would need them to stumble for three or four. We can’t be too optimistic,” he added.

In order to claim the second spot, Barcelona would have to defeat Sevilla at the Camp Nou in April and prevail in the match they have in hand against Rayo Vallecano.

But firstly, the Catalan club’s recent revival under Xavi will have to pass a tough test against Real Madrid on Sunday.

Barcelona are in their finest form of the season heading to the Santiago Bernabeu, having scored 14 and conceded just two in their last four games.

After a dull start to the season, Barcelona have recovered their style, killer’s instinct and, most importantly, morale.EFE

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