Barcelona dreaming of Espanyol derby title glory: when could Xavi’s side win LaLiga?

The feeling within the Barcelona dressing room is clear: the sooner they secure the LaLiga title, the better. There is no chance of them being able to do so this Tuesday, when they host Osasuna. Xavi Hernández’s side hold an 11-point lead over Real Madrid after Saturday’s thumping win over Real Betis, but there are still 18 points to play for.

What needs to happen for Barcelona to clinch the LaLiga title against Espanyol?

However, if Barça take care of the Pamplona outfit and Los Blancos were to slip up away to Real Sociedad hours later, that would open the door to the possibility of the Catalans winning the league title on the following matchday.

And it just so happens that would coincide with...a derby against Espanyol at RCDE Stadium. “Winning LaLiga against Espanyol would be a great feeling”, admitted one senior member of the Barcelona roster, who has experienced his ups and downs during his time at the club. Securing the title at the home of their bitter city rivals would undoubtedly be one of the greatest ‘ups’.

Espanyol’s Camp Nou celeberations

In addition, the Barça dressing room hasn’t forgotten about the scenes at the end of the derby at Camp Nou earlier in the season, when Espanyol’s ‘enthusiastic’ celebrations after picking up a point were seen as being over the top and disrespectful towards the home fans. The possibility of being able to return the favour, and then some, is said to be an added motivating factor for all concerned.

Following the win over Betis, the players and coaching staff have already begun looking ahead to see exactly when they could be crowned champions. The club’s media team even tweeted out a sketch of a ‘LaLiga 2023′ sand timer, with the club crests of their remaining opponents inside. Everyone agrees that it’s a case of “the sooner, the better” and the first possible date is 14 May and that clash against Espanyol. Although, as mentioned, that would require Real Sociedad to take points off Real Madrid in San Sebastián.

When can Barça win LaLiga if Real Madrid don’t slip up?

If Los Blancos win at Anoeta, then there is still another chance that Barcelona could seal the title in the derby. Carlo Ancelotti’s side play Getafe at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu 24 hours earlier; again, a Madrid slip-up would give La Blaugrana the chance to claim the ultimate derby glory. Should the reigning European champions win both of their next two league matches, the earliest Barça could wrap up LaLiga would be against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou, the week after the derby on 21 May.