The Catalan rival is having a peculiar weekend. While celebrating its 125th anniversary, Hansi Flick and Joan Laporta’s Barça surprised everyone with an exceptional gift to Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
“Many congratulations on your 125th anniversary, @FCBarcelona. It’s an honour for Real Madrid to compete with such a great rival as you throughout our history,” wrote Florentino Pérez’s club to their Catalan rival on 29 November. Despite the incredible rivalry between these two giants of Spain, Europe, and the world over decades, surprising moments of courtesy occur when least expected. Ahead of the 125th anniversary celebrations by the Catalans this weekend, Florentino Pérez paid particular attention to the Blaugranas’ financial situation, which he aims to support through the Super League project.
The Las Palmas upset delights Madrid
This Saturday, Hansi Flick and his team stunned the footballing world with a gift that greatly pleased Real Madrid. Indeed, playing at home and wearing a special kit for their 125th anniversary, the Catalan team was defeated by Las Palmas (2–1). Strong leaders of La Liga with a six-point lead over Madrid since their Clasico victory in the 11th round of La Liga last October, Barça self-destructed and have now handed the top spot in the table to Carlo Ancelotti and his team.
Indeed, after Saturday’s unexpected defeat, which adds to the disappointments of their last two league matches, the Blaugranas have made life easier for Real Madrid, who now have the chance to reclaim the top spot in the table by winning their two games in hand. If Ancelotti and his team secure victory against Getafe this Sunday, they will close the gap to just one point behind Barça, while waiting to play the postponed match from matchday 12 against Valencia, likely early next year.
For Real Madrid, who have not been in great form since the start of the season, Barça’s gift is simply unprecedented because, let’s face it: if Hansi Flick’s team had kept winning, La Liga would be very hard for Madrid to contend for. As Carlo Ancelotti said after the Clasico thrashing, nothing is decided in La Liga. Everything is now wide open, much to the delight of Madrid fans.
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