Barcelona could hand Real Madrid an unthinkable El Clásico nightmare

If results go against Real Madrid in the coming weeks, Álvaro Arbeloa’s side may be forced into a truly humiliating act when they next face rivals Barcelona.

On Friday (April 10), Real Madrid dropped yet more points in La Liga as they struggled to a 1–1 draw at home to Girona, just three days after losing 2–1 against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the side’s Champions League quarter-final.

To rub salt into Los Blancos’ wounds, on Saturday (April 11), Hansi Flick’s Barça brushed aside city rivals Espanyol with ease, as a Ferran Torres brace, as well as strikes from Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford, helped the Blaugrana to a 4–1 win at Camp Nou.

In doing so, they extended their lead at the top of the division to nine points with just seven matches to play.

Barça’s victory also means Real Madrid may be forced to give them a guard of honour when the sides next meet at Camp Nou on May 10.

Real Madrid are nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga (Credit:Getty)

Another scenario is that Barça could clinch the title if they beat Los Blancos next month.

If Real drop points and Barça win all their remaining games, they may be forced to give the Catalan side a guard of honour.

If Real do, in fact, win all their games, then Barça will have the opportunity to clinch the title on May 10.

Before El Clásico, Barça face Celta Vigo, Getafe and Osasuna, while Real are scheduled to take on Alavés, Betis and Espanyol.

Previously, in 2018, Real refused to give Barcelona a guard of honour before their La Liga clash at Camp Nou, despite the Catalan club having already clinched the Spanish top-flight title.

Then Real head coach Zinedine Zidane said the reason his side did not perform the gesture was because Barça had not given Los Blancos a guard of honour after Real’s Club World Cup victory earlier in the season.

Earlier this year, Barça president Joan Laporta criticised Real when they did not give his side a guard of honour following their Spanish Supercopa final triumph.

Laporta told Catalan radio station RAC1: “In victory and defeat, you should be generous and respectful. This is sport... I think we were generous in our victory and respected the opposing team.”