Madrid prioritizes Europe but can win in Spain this Saturday

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BARCELONA (AP) — In the midst of the search for another European Champions League crown, Real Madrid is also pursuing its country’s title

The merengue team, 14-time European champions, can secure the Spanish La Liga trophy on Saturday, when they host Cádiz, while Barcelona will visit Girona.

The coronation would come with a favorable combination of results.

Madrid will win its 36th title in Spain, four dates before the end of the season, in either of these two scenarios:

—If they beat Cádiz and Barça does not defeat Girona.

—If they tie and if Barcelona falls in Girona.

There are 11 points that separate Madrid and Barcelona. The white team also has the tiebreaker criterion in its favor for today.

The coronation seems like a mere formality since February, when they defeated Girona, their main challenger for the trophy. Last month, he stopped a rebound from Barcelona, ​​whom he defeated in the classic.

Those led by Carlo Ancelotti now seem to prioritize the Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich. They drew 2-2 in Germany on Tuesday, thanks to a double from Vinicius Junior.

The Bavarian team will visit the Spanish capital next Wednesday to decide who will clash in the final on June 1 against Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund.

Led by Jude Bellingham, Vinicius and veteran midfielder Toni Kroos, Madrid have suffered just one defeat in 33 league games this campaign.

Ancelotti made a rotation in his starting eleven for the most recent date, in which his team won against Real Sociedad.

Therefore, it seems likely that the Italian strategist will rest certain key players against a Cádiz team at risk of relegation.

Cádiz is in 18th position, which condemns it to losing the category, five points behind Celta de Vigo, the last club that is located in the salvation zone.

Xavi Hernández has acknowledged that this season will end without titles. At least he changed his mind and decided to stay on the Barcelona bench.

The Barça club is fighting with Girona for the runner-up position. The Catalan derby could define who gets the ticket to play in the lucrative Super Cup.

Barcelona is two points ahead of Girona, which is third. The red and white squad has been the surprise of La Liga, and beat Barça 4-2 in their own fiefdom in December.

Artem Dovbyk is the leading scorer. The Ukrainian forward from Girona has 19 goals, two more than Bellingham.

Atlético de Madrid visits Mallorca at a time when it is trying to secure fourth place and the last available ticket for the Champions League.

Athletic Bilbao, placed fifth, is six points behind the Colchonero club before its duel this Friday against Getafe.