The keys of the Athletic Club-FC Barcelona of LaLiga 2018-19

The month of February has to the FC Barcelona doing balances between League, Glass of Rey and Champions, and this weekend, the calendar offers him a big opportunity. The Catalans are leaders and will have to face a very complicated exit in the championship of the regularity, but could see benefited by the clash between the second and the third qualifier.

The majority of culés will have an eye put the Saturday in the Athletic of Madrid-Real Madrid of Wanda Metropolitan, since any result in the capital would serve to move away to one of the perseguidores of the barcelonistas. Before initiating the meeting, the 'colchoneros' explain his disadvantage in six points and the 'merengues' in eight, but when finish could be more.

This crossing, this yes, does not free of responsibility to the men of Ernesto Valverde, that have in mind that his only aim is the victory. In the last day certified a worked tie in front of Valencia, but in the City Condal want to follow adding of three in three so that what the requirement go back to shoot, there is spare margin to avoid worries.

The four keys of the Athletic Club-Barça

The derbi Madrilenian, the big opportunity

Although there is better and worse options, there is not way that the Barça come off badly in the derbi of the Metropolitan. Whenever it go back with a victory of Saint Mamés, can remain in six points on the second and eleven on the third (if there is local triumph), eight and ten (if there is tie), and eight and nine (if there is triumph visitor).

The victory, the first

To take advantage of the occasion, clear is, the culés have to surpass to the AthleticClub , a mission that no gives them bad but in which they are seriously warned. The 'lions' never put them the easy things, and already showed it attaining a tie in the first turn in the Camp Nou. Now they are struggling for escaping of the low zone of the table, and the leader will have to show reason carries four years without leaving points in Bilbao.

Another party without Leo Messi?

Between or no this time in the announcement, the physical state of Leo Messi will be still in doubt, since in the Classical could check that it is not recovered of the annoyances in the thigh. Ernesto Valverde warned that it would not risk and could keep him in the bench if it has not gone to worse, although if it participates being mermado perhaps can not be the help that his need. The Barça would lose 24 goals in 34 commitments against the Basques if finally it can not have minutes.

A rest between competitions

After a time facing three parties by week, the calendar presents a gap in which there will be six free days. On 10 February there is duel against the Athletic and until the 16 there is not another day of League against the Real Valladolid, what means that there will be the just time before taking a break and finalise the semifinals of Glass of Rey and begin the eliminatory phase of the Champions.