Valverde will be keen for this not to happen again at Barça
In the 2015/16 season, the second under Luis Enrique, Barça almost allowed a healthy lead at the top to count for nothing
LaLiga is in Barça's hands. They are seven points ahead of Atletico Madrid and 12 ahead of Real Madrid. That's a significant advantage and one which should be enough to see Barcelona ease to the title. However, they mustn't ease off too much as not so long ago a similar situation almost saw the team throw all their good work away.
It was in the 2015/16 season, Luis Enrique's second in charge, when the advantage was similar. In the 26th game week, Barça had the same distance to Real Madrid they have now, 12, and only five head of Atletico.
Barça eased off and it almost cost them everything. Real Madrid visited the Camp Nou and won 2-1. In the next two matches they slipped up against Real Sociedad and Valencia. Madrid and Atletico smelt blood. Madrid closed the gap to one point and Atletico moved level with Barça.
It was the league they had to win twice. Barça responded just in time and won five matches on the bounce to claim the title. However it wasn't until the final contest, against Granada, where it was eventually confirmed. Valverde will be keen for history not to repeat itself.
