The Title Race

As we pass the halfway stage of this Liga BBVA season, a team not many would have guessed sits on top of the table. After the success of a league title and a Champions League, many would've predicted Barcelona would be the dominant force in the two horse race that is La Liga. But after a series of shock results, that saw them drop points to Getafe, Athletico Bilbao, Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Valencia, they are currently three points behind leaders Real Madrid.

This may not seem like a huge gap but La Liga is not like other leagues such as the Premier League, where there seems to be an upset every week, and the reality is Real Madrid face little concern about dropping points. Especially with the strength in the depth they have. Mourinho knows this, but he is also very wary that the gap has been reduced to three points. So when Madrid face the daunting task of going to the Camp Nou and coming away with a result, Mourinho will be hoping the gap has increased in case Barcelona take all three points.

Mourinho can take confidence though as sides which his Real Madrid have brushed aside have caused trouble for the Catalans. He can also hope that Barcelona's sticky period is not yet over. Both teams are entering into a crucial period as both remain in all three major competitions. So while Mourinho can rely on his large squad to combat the struggles of playing a midweek Champions League game, this is not an option that is freely available to Guardiola. 

Guardiola has been loyal to his youth academy and trusted them to see off opponents in the Copa del Rey. But there is a huge gulf between a thrid division side and a Champions League side. In the next round of the Champions League they face Bayer Leverkusen who are not a side to be taken  lightly. They qualified second in their group after finishing just a point behind Chelsea. The first leg does not come at an easy time for Barcelona either. They are scheduled to play Osasuna and Valencia each within five days of the away leg.

The packed schedule seems to be taking it's toll as well. So far this season Barcelona have been hampered with many injuries but the most worrying thing is that most of them have been muscular injuries. These result after too much fatigue and can leave a player sidelined for a good few weeks. Also star striker David Villa has been ruled out for 4-5 months with a broken Tibia.

Real Madrid face no such worries and are relishing in the advantages of not having to compete in competitions such as the Club World Cup, which require the team to fly across the world to Japan. The most deadliest threat though is their Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo currently tops the top goal scorer table with an emphatic 20 goals in 16 games. In the same period of games his Argentinia rival could only manage 17 goals. Ronaldo has the pace and physical toughness to challenge any defender.

He has been most impressive in this season though and seems to have matured as a footballer. No longer falling to ground easily or doing an over-the-top trick when a simple pass will do. This may be due to the large effect "the special one" has had on him. The forward recently gave an interview in which he said that his main ambition was to win trophies with Mourinho. I'm sure something Mourinho feels the same way about.

Mourinho is still in search for his first league title with Madrid and has exhausted nearly all of his options when it comes to toppling Barcelona. From dirty tricks and constant whining about refereeing decisions, no tactic has been strong enough. This season though Mourinho was confronted by his players and warned him that the constant pressure he brings is not helping the team to function to it's full potential. Mourinho accepted their criticism and decided to let the football do the talking and it has reaped it's rewards. Real madrid have been playing the most attractive football in the league and this is in no small part due to Mourinho's relaxed atmosphere around the club. Something Barcelona have been playing with for years.

This does not prove they are strong enough to topple Barcelona though and their recent 3-1 lose at home is a worrying sign for Mourinho.  He can take postives out of the game though as he finished the game with 11 men, something that is rarity for Mourinho aganiast Barcelona.

The title race will be proven by the team who sets it's sights on it the most. Where as Barcelona won both the league and the Chmapions League last year, this may not be a luxury Mourinho's Madrid will allow them to enjoy this year.