FCBARCELONA.CAT

04.05.2007 12:06

Top of the league with six games left

Jesús Carrillo

FC Barcelona have been crowned as champions on ten of the 11 occasions after the team had been top of the table with six games of the season remaining. The only time that they missed out was at the end of the 1981-82 campaign.

The league title race may appear to be wide open this season, but history dictates that Barça will onto clinch a third successive championship as they are currently out in front at a crucial stage. Under Frank Rijkaard the Blaugrana have been in pole position with six games remaining and, on both occasions, have not been caught.

Herrera, Michels and Venables

The two league titles won at the end of the 1950's, with Helenio Herrera as coach, saw Barça in a similar position at this stage of the campaign. The same happened when Johan Cruyff helped the side win the 1973-74 trophy as a player, with Rinus Michels in charge, and Terry Venables followed suit as his team went on to win the league having been top with six games left.

Two of the four for the Dream Team

At the beginning of the 1990's, Barça won four consecutive championships. The Blaugrana were in dominant form at this stage on two of those occasions as they already had the 19901-91 and 1992-93 campaigns virtually sewn up with six matches left on the board. It is just another example of what a strong position the current side are in.

Van Gaal too

Louis Van Gaal enjoyed back-to-back league triumphs during his time in charge at Camp Nou. On both occasions the team was on top with six matches to play and on both occasions they eased to victory winning the championship in 1997-98 and 1998-99.

And Rikaard

The tradition has continued under Frank Rijkaard as the last two league trophies, in 2004-05 and 2005-06, have been secured after the team was top with six games left before the end. History could be about to repeat itself this season.