Barcelona could return to La Liga’s Champions League spots for the first time in four months on Saturday as the beginnings of recovery under Xavi Hernandez appear finally to be taking shape.
Barca is unbeaten in five games ahead of their trip to Granada this weekend, even if the 15-point gap to Real Madrid serves as a painful reminder of the long road that still lies ahead.
But for a team that last month was sitting ninth in the table, there is at least a sense now that a youthful Barcelona side is starting to turn a corner.
Performances have been encouraging, with last weekend’s 1-0 grind against Mallorca particularly noteworthy for its resilience as a patched-up team, deprived of eight players due to Covid, held on for a gutsy victory.
“Everyone should get ready because we’re back, and with the desire to do good things,” Laporta said at the presentation of new signing, Ferran Torres, on Monday. “We’ve got our status back. The resurgence of Barcelona is a reality.”
But if the arrival of Torres for 55 million euros, one of Spain’s most talented youngsters, creates excitement and optimism for the future, the signing also underlines the enduring reality of the club’s financial problems.
Torres has signed but cannot play until Barcelona free up enough money to comply with La Liga’s spending limit, which will depend on them now selling some players or convincing others to stay on adjusted terms.
With Torres out due to injury and a positive Covid test, Barca has extra time to find a solution but Xavi will not want to wait too long. His team have struggled for goals all season, which is the problem Torres is supposed to solve.
A win over Granada would lift Barcelona at least temporarily above Atletico Madrid, who play away at Villarreal on Sunday.
Sevilla will be up against Getafe on Sunday after Real Madrid have played at home on Saturday against Valencia.
Real Betis in third and Rayo Vallecano in sixth were the two surprise high-fliers in the first half of the season and they face each other at Vallecas on Sunday, looking to reverse recent dips.
Fixtures (GMT)
Saturday
Levante v Mallorca (1300), Real Sociedad v Celta Vigo (1515), Granada v Barcelona (1730), Real Madrid v Valencia (2000)
Sunday
Rayo Vallecano v Real Betis (1300), Sevilla v Getafe (1515), Alaves v Athletic Club (1730), Osasuna v Cadiz (1730), Villarreal v Atletico Madrid (2000)
Monday
Espanyol v Elche (2000)
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