- Real Madrid can move 11 points clear of Barcelona at the top if they win the Clasico
- The two rivals’ fortunes in the Champions League were contrasting in midweek.
- Man City exhausted?! We are all tired, but it is dangerous to spread this message. It’s About Big Games: Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off Podcast
Former Real Madrid and Arsenal striker Julio Baptista backed Jude Bellingham to win his first La Liga title by winning Sunday night’s ‘Clasico’.
Barcelona are counting on Real Madrid feeling the effects of Wednesday’s grueling 120 minutes against Manchester City in the Champions League.
But when asked if he thought Barcelona had been a lifeline in the title race due to the fatigue and turnover likely to follow their escapades at the Etihad, Baptista replied: “No, completely opposite.”
“If Carlo Ancelotti chooses to rotate, then the player coming in is waiting for that opportunity and he will want to do his best.
“A lot of the starters will be the same and then for the players coming in knowing how important the game is, they will be there to prove something.”
Bellingham can take a big step towards winning their first La Liga crown on Sunday. Real Madrid will be 11 points ahead of Barcelona if they win and with just 18 points to play for.
Baptista was impressed with the way the Englishman performed in Spain, scoring 20 goals in all competitions.
He said: “I think he has adapted very well and he has had an extraordinary start to his career at Madrid. Maybe his level has dropped a bit in the last month, but maybe it It’s just the accumulation of matches he’s played.
“He played a lot of minutes and sometimes the players start to feel that in their legs they are only human.”
He also praised the way the 20-year-old integrated into the team despite not speaking the language.
When Baptista signed for Real Madrid in 2005, he did so from La Liga club Sevilla and with friendships with fellow Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo already at the club.
“The key to adaptation is spending as much time as possible with teammates who speak the language,” Baptista added.
Bellingham has been asked to play frequently in Madrid’s front three this season and was asked where he saw him finish on the pitch. Baptista said: “I see him playing behind one striker or playing behind two strikers.” I think that’s where you’ll get the best out of him.
Baptista, who also spent a year on loan at Arsenal after his first season at the Bernabeu, before returning to the Spanish capital and winning La Liga, added: “It’s Barcelona’s last chance. If they lose or Even if they draw, it will be as good as over. We have never seen a team lose such a lead at this stage of the season.
“Even if Barcelona wins, that’s still five points, so Madrid would have to lose twice for Barcelona to win the championship. Anything is possible, but Madrid, with this boost from what happened in midweek, has the things in his favor.
The psychological impact of Madrid scoring another midweek European epic, eliminating Manchester City, stands in stark contrast to the dark clouds that descended on Barcelona following their exit at Paris Saint-Germain.
“No player likes to be eliminated in the Champions League and the Barcelona players are still coming to terms with it,” Baptista said.
“The Madrid players will be euphoric to have reached the semi-finals. Besides having the advantage they have in La Liga, I think what happened in midweek just gives Madrid a little extra .
Sunday’s match could well be decided by Baptista’s compatriot and of the in-form Raphinha and the irrepressible Vinicius, he said: “They are two very different players. Raphinha stands out for his technical level; while the Vinicius’ strong point is his speed.
“Both fit very well into the teams they play for. The way Barcelona play suits Raphinha and the way Madrid play means Vinicius suits them perfectly. Vinicius shone a little more because he has been in Europe longer.
“Raphinha had some ups and downs early on, but now that he’s really adapted to where he is, there’s a consistency.”
Madrid’s victory over Manchester City cast a shadow over today’s match, even dominating Barcelona coach Xavi’s press conference on Saturday. “We will find a strong Madrid and even stronger after eliminating the best team in the world, City,” he said.
“Madrid’s victory in midweek and Barcelona’s defeat brings huge expectations and can do a lot of damage,” Baptista concluded. “You have to accept the fact that you lost and you see that your great rival has succeeded.”
Asked for his prediction, the Brazilian who scored the winner in the 2007 Camp Nou Clasico added: “The ideal ‘Clasico’ for me would be a 2-1 win for Madrid. And (in terms of title), that would probably be it.
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