Barcelona head into their crucial LaLiga clash against Las Palmas on Saturday, fully aware of the significance of maintaining their position at the top of the table. After a dramatic resurgence in 2025, Hansi Flick’s side are determined to keep their momentum and hold off fierce competition from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona’s Road to the Top
Having led for most of the first half of the season, Barcelona suffered a dip in form in November and December, dropping to third place in the standings. Their struggles allowed Atletico Madrid to take the lead, but after Real Madrid faltered, Flick’s team clawed their way back to the top.
With no wins in three consecutive matches, Real Madrid allowed Barcelona to capitalize, and a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano earlier this week helped the Catalan giants reclaim the top spot on goal difference. Now, Flick’s men are determined to hold onto it.
“Getting that first place is positive for the fans,” said Flick. “Now we are back and we are very happy.”
Tactical Changes Powering Barcelona’s Revival
In an effort to turn their fortunes around, Flick made key changes to his squad. The January signing of Wojciech Szczesny has bolstered Barcelona’s goalkeeping department, replacing Inaki Pena in the starting XI. Additionally, Frenkie de Jong has been reintroduced into the midfield, bringing much-needed creativity and control to their game.
The winter break provided a perfect opportunity for Flick to reset both physically and mentally. With his high-pressing tactical style, Barcelona had been showing signs of fatigue, but the break helped them regain their sharpness and energy.
“We were missing 5-10% in LaLiga, and this is what we had to change,” Flick admitted in January. Since then, his side has responded impressively.
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Barcelona’s Rematch with Las Palmas
Barca do not need reminding of the threat Las Palmas pose, despite their 17th-place standing and ongoing battle against relegation. Back in November, Las Palmas stunned the Camp Nou with a 2-1 victory, handing Barcelona their first home defeat of the season.
That shock defeat was part of Barcelona’s troubling slump, but with renewed confidence and fresh legs, the Catalans will be looking for redemption this time around. Their recent Spanish Super Cup victory over Real Madrid further proved that they have rediscovered their winning mentality.
“We focus on our style of play and how we want to perform,” said Flick. “Not on the other things.”
Atletico and Real Madrid’s Influence on the Title Race
Before Barcelona take the field against Las Palmas, they may already find themselves knocked off the top spot. Atletico Madrid visit Valencia earlier on Saturday, and a win for Diego Simeone’s side would temporarily push Barcelona down to second.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid host Girona on Sunday, a high-stakes match that could influence the title race further. With only goal difference separating Barcelona and Madrid, every point will be crucial heading into the final stretch of the season.
Player to Watch: Antony at Real Betis
Beyond the title race, Brazilian winger Antony has been one of the most exciting players in LaLiga since joining Real Betis on loan from Manchester United. With three goals in four games, Antony has sparked a Betis revival, helping them mount a challenge for European qualification.
His next test comes against a resilient Getafe defense on Sunday. If he continues his fine form, he could be a key player in Betis’ push for a top-six finish.
Can Barcelona Hold Their Nerve?
With Las Palmas fighting for survival and Barcelona determined to maintain their position at the summit, this clash promises to be a highly competitive encounter. Flick’s squad will need to show their mental toughness and tactical discipline to secure a crucial three points.
Barcelona’s biggest challenges remain their ability to convert possession into goals, maintain defensive solidity, and avoid complacency against lower-ranked sides. Having already dropped points to Las Palmas this season, they cannot afford another slip-up.
