Barcelona head into the international break in the best possible position—top of La Liga and with a game in hand. Their latest victory over Atlético Madrid ensured they leapfrogged Real Madrid, giving them a crucial psychological edge as the title race heats up.

Speaking to ESPN, rising star Lamine Yamal emphasised how important it was for the team to enter the break at the summit of the table.

“It was important to go into the break with a win and top of the table,” Yamal said. “And not just top, but also with a game in hand. That will give us confidence when we come back to kick on from there and try and widen the gap with the other teams in the title race.”

Despite the victory, Yamal acknowledged that the team still has areas to improve, particularly in terms of intensity and focus throughout matches.

“I think intensity above all is what was missing [before the comeback],” he admitted. “We were waiting to see what happened rather than really going for it. Until they scored two goals, we didn’t really step up and get going. That can’t happen. It’s something we have to improve. It also happened in the Copa del Rey. If we can improve these small details, we can be closer to being a perfect team.”

Barcelona’s win over Atlético Madrid was their seventh consecutive La Liga victory, a run that has propelled them to the top of the standings. With a game in hand over both Real Madrid and Atlético, Hansi Flick’s side is in a strong position heading into the crucial final stretch of the season.

The next challenge? A massive showdown against Girona on March 30, where Barça will look to extend their lead and further cement their title credentials.