Three questions and three answers from Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid

Three answers

**1. Would Real Madrid be able to delay Barcelona’s title celebrations?** Real Madrid had to win to prevent Barcelona from sealing the title, which would be the first time that a league title was won in a Clásico since 1932 and only the second time ever. In reality, Real Madrid never put up much of a fight. At 2-0 down in such quick time, Real Madrid had to record their first ever comeback from a two goal deficit against Barcelona in a Clásico, but there was no sign of any kind of pride or fight to achieve it. Barcelona were able to revert to first gear from the 18th minute onwards, and see out the victory with ease. Chants of “campeones” were being heard around the Spotify Camp Nou from early on in the game, and it was mathematically secured with the final whistle, with the gap at the top opening up to 14 points with nine left to play for. **2. Where was ?** In between trips to Italy and late night dinners, Kylian Mbappé’s returned to training this week. The Frenchman was expected to be available, with the likes of MARCA expecting him to be fit enough to make the starting line-up, until it emerged that he had been left out of the squad after withdrawing from training in the last five minutes of Saturday’s session due to discomfort. It’s clear that Mbappé‘s eyes are set solely on the World Cup this summer, with little at stake here other than potential humiliation. It will put more focus on his late-night adventures, being pictured at restaurants gone midnight this week and filmed driving around the city late into the night. And it also raises the question of whether he will return at all this season or if he will rest for what is left of the 2025/26 campaign and begin his build-up to the World Cup. That rest period could help Real Madrid under new management come the start of the next season, with only a few weeks between the end of the World Cup, where could go all the way, and the start of the season in Spain. **3. Would Aurélien Tchouameni be involved?** With a fine of €500,000 each for and Aurélien Tchouameni, the club institutionally made clear that there would be no sporting punishment for either player after their training ground bust-up this week. However, that left it down to coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Valverde was out with the head injury he suffered in the incident, but Tchouameni’s involvement posed a dilemma. Arbeloa spoke passionately on Saturday, insisting that both players “deserve us to turn the page” and his actions followed that up, starting Tchouameni in midfield. The game passed him by somewhat, his passing accuracy coming in at 88%, some way below his season average of 91.4%, and his most notable involvement being a header from a corner on 74 minutes which was blocked without too much trouble for Barcelona. A week to forget for the Frenchman.