What does March look like for FC Barcelona?
The month of March has several dates marked in red in the Barça calendar. The most immediate challenge is a trip to take on Elche away from home in La Liga but on the horizon are a two legged tie against Turkish club Galatasaray and the Clásico against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabéu. In the space of 14 days the blauganes have no less than five games before the international break at the end of the month.
March will be a month that tests the recent improved form of Xavi Hernández's team after they recorded a flurry of impressive victories towards the end of February. The first of those examinations will come against Elche on Sunday 6 March at 4.15pm CET at the Martínez Valero stadium.
In the game between the two sides earlier in the season only a late winner from Nico allowed Xavi Hernández's team to take all three points after goals from Tete Morente and Pere Milla had cancelled out earlier efforts from Jutglà and Gavi.
Last 16 in the Europa League
Four days later and European competition returns to Camp Nou with Galatasaray the visitors in the first leg of Barça's last 16 tie in the UEFA Europa League. It will be the first visit for the Turkish giants just under 20 years and there are Barça connections to their current squad with coach Domènec Torrent and players Iñaki Peña and Arda Turan all having blaugrana pasts.
Camp Nou will also be the venue three days later on Sunday 13 March for the visit of Osasuna in La Liga, kick off 9pm CET in week 28 of the domestic season.
On Thursday 17 March at 6.45pm CET Barça will face the second leg of their Europa League tie against Galatasaray in the Nef Stadyumu in Istanbul.
The Clásico to round off March
The final game of the month is none other than the Clásico in La Liga against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. The game comes on Sunday 20 March at 9pm CET and hands Xavi Hernández's team the chance to turn around their recent run of disappointing results against their biggest rivals. Two frenetic weeks of activity for Barça which could go a long way to defining their 2021/22 season.