Real Madrid has done its best to delay the inevitable, but Barcelona has another chance to finally clinch the Spanish league title this weekend.

A win by Barcelona at Atletico Madrid on Sunday will seal the Catalan club's 22nd league title and fourth in five years - although the team may already be champion by then if Madrid drops points at Espanyol on Saturday.

Madrid's 6-2 rout of Malaga on Wednesday kept Barcelona from dethroning it as league champion, but even that commanding victory at the Santiago Bernabeu was drowned out by the jeers coach Jose Mourinho received from the home fans after his disputes with his players and club intensified in recent days.

"We are only thinking about winning the league on Sunday," said Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets. "Our fans deserve it. All of Barcelona's fans are very proud of this title and are wanting us to win more."

AP

(China Daily 05/11/2013 page16)