Part 5/9:
In light of these struggles, there are calls for Xavi to be brave enough to rest players like Yamal when necessary, especially given the demanding schedule ahead. The opportunity to take vital points in La Liga slipped away, and this brings into focus the implications for their title hopes against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid: A Season of Missed Chances
Real Madrid faces a similar predicament, having succumbed to an unexpected defeat at home to Valencia. The match highlighted the recurring issue of slow starts, with Madrid missing early opportunities, including a penalty missed by Vinicius Jr. This miss compounded Real's disappointing showing, marked by a lack of clinical finishing despite managing to create numerous chances—21 shots on goal, to be precise.