Joan Laporta has always been optimistic about Barcelona's chances of winning the LaLiga Santander title in 2021/22, and the Blaugrana still have a chance. But they'll need their calculators now because the math indicates that it won't be easy.
After being eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday, Barcelona's fourth cup exit of the season, the league title is now the only one left to challenge for.
There are seven matchdays remaining, including this one, though Barcelona has one more match than Real Madrid due to a postponed home game against Rayo Vallecano.
What would it take for Barcelona to win LaLiga Santander?
Barcelona currently trails Real Madrid by 12 points in the La Liga standings. Even if the Catalans defeat Rayo Vallecano, the gap will remain nine points, though Xavi's side will have the head-to-head tiebreaker if the teams finish level on points.
Real Madrid travels to Sevilla this weekend, and Barcelona will be hoping for a point there before facing Cadiz at home on Monday night.
Even if Sevilla wins that game - which is possible given that the Rojiblancos still have a lot to play for and are strong at home - Barcelona would still need Los Blancos to lose or draw at least two more times.
What are Barcelona's and Real Madrid's remaining fixtures?
Surprisingly, Real Madrid always plays before Barcelona until Matchday 34, which is the next round with confirmed kick off times. That means the Blaugrana will always know whether or not their rivals and league leaders have made a mistake.
Barcelona and Real Madrid both have difficult away games in midweek. On Wednesday, Osasuna will face Real Madrid, and on Thursday, Real Sociedad will face Barcelona.
Barcelona's postponed match against Rayo Vallecano is next weekend, with Matchday 34 coming the following weekend, when Real Madrid hosts Espanyol on April 30 and Barcelona hosts Real Mallorca on May 1.
The remaining four rounds will determine the final destination of the trophy, though we do not yet have confirmed kick-off times. Barcelona will play Real Betis away, Celta Vigo at home, Getafe away, and Villarreal at home during those rounds. Atletico Madrid is away, Levante is at home, Cadiz is away, and Real Betis is at home.
While winning the league title is more fantasy than reality for Barcelona right now, they will keep pushing until the math says otherwise. For the time being, they will try to close the gap with the leaders and put themselves in their shoes.
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