BARCELONA: Real Madrid鈥檚 season appeared disastrous a few weeks ago but if Carlo Ancelotti鈥檚 side can finally beat rivals Barcelona in Sunday鈥檚 La Liga Clasico, their title defense will be resuscitated.
Madrid were left licking their wounds after a Champions League quarter-final thrashing by Arsenal, and coach Ancelotti is poised to depart at the end of the season, but it could yet be with a major trophy in his hands.
Barcelona鈥檚 European exit at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday brightened spirits in the Spanish capital and if Madrid can overhaul the Catalans at the top of the table, they could transform their season.
The nature of Madrid鈥檚 rivalry with Barcelona means winning La Liga could either feel great or underwhelming, depending on how their nemesis fares in Europe.
With Barcelona鈥檚 quadruple dream crushed by Inter, should Madrid defend their title they could even classify their season as a success.
The Catalans, who currently lead by four points with four matches remaining, would be left with only the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, both of which they won by beating Real Madrid in the final.
To do that Madrid must manage something they have not been able to pull off all season 鈥� winning a Clasico.
鈥淲e will have a great opportunity, we have to prepare well 鈥� it鈥檚 an almost decisive match,鈥� said Ancelotti.
The teams have faced off three times and Barcelona triumphed on each occasion, in the two aforementioned finals and in the first league clash at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.
Barcelona netted 12 goals across the four games, conceding four, with Hansi Flick鈥檚 side outplaying Madrid on each occasion.
However their meeting in Seville in April in the Copa del Rey final was the closest Ancelotti鈥檚 team have come.
Madrid took the game to extra-time and their Italian coach discovered a set-up which allowed his team to take Barca to the wire.
Operating in the second half with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the forward, and Rodrygo Goes substituted, Madrid found the balance they have badly lacked at times this season.
鈥淭he last match was competitive, we were very close to winning and I don鈥檛 think we have to invent a lot of new things ,鈥� said Ancelotti.
鈥淲e have to try and play a serious game, and we will do so with all the confidence in the world.
鈥淒espite all our problems, the fact we are here and we can fight in this match is something beautiful.鈥�
Last weekend against Celta Vigo Ancelotti also afforded Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler a rare start and he impressed in midfield, providing impetus which the retired Toni Kroos gave last season, as Madrid won a La Liga and Champions League double.
Guler also impressed as a substitute in the Copa final and Ancelotti may start him at the Olympic stadium this weekend.
鈥淎t Madrid you have to suck it up on the bench before you become an indisputable start in this team 鈥� Arda has the profile of a player who could be a starter at Madrid,鈥� said Ancelotti.
鈥淗e sucked it up on the bench, he didn鈥檛 get annoyed and he has evolved... he鈥檚 not the same Guler from last September.鈥�

Atletico Madrid鈥檚 Norwegian target man has played a key role off the bench this season but in the final weeks of the campaign, coach Diego Simeone is giving him more chances from the start. He is set to lead the line against his former side Real Sociedad on Saturday.

8 鈥� league games without a win for relegation-battling Leganes ahead of their key clash against Espanyol on Sunday.
25 鈥� goals for La Liga top scorer, Barca鈥檚 Robert Lewandowski, with Mbappe trailing by one.
91 鈥� times Barca have found the net this season in the top flight, no other side has reached 70.

Friday
Las Palmas v Rayo Vallecano
Saturday
Valencia v Getafe , Celta Vigo v Sevilla , Girona v Villarreal, Mallorca v Valladolid , Atletico Madrid v Real Sociedad
Sunday
Leganes v Espanyol , Barcelona v Real Madrid , Athletic Bilbao v Alaves , Real Betis v Osasuna