The Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has refused to accept a defeat in the title race of La Liga, and warned the leader Barcelona “everything can happen in football”.
Barcelona was only a few moments away from being crowned with the master on Wednesday evening before the 20-year-old defender Jacobo Ramon’s 95th minute winner for Madrid against Mallorca ensured that the title race would attract at least another 24 hours.
The victory over Espanyol on Thursday evening would be enough to seal the title for Barcelona, who sits four points in front of a team in Madrid and only have two games this season.
While it may seem to be a detailed conclusion that Barcelona will get the title in the hands, Ancelotti warned his Clasico rival not to become complacent in this phase of the season.
“Despite the difficulties we were confronted with, the team did not give up,” he started. “We were able to compensate [injury] Losses that are many very important players, with a good attitude both collectively and individually … I’ve never seen a team that shot the goal 40 times.
“We just believe that our game in the next home game and then see what happens. Obviously, obviously [Barcelona] Must play and everything can happen in football.
“We did well offensive. In such games, they fight more for a goal, and this season we have admitted many goals for many reasons, and the thing is that we were always four or five defenders.”
Ancelotti reflected the season as a whole and doubled his assessment that Madrid’s offer to raise the title had hindered.
“Many absences, and we were still able to change the season with exceptional effort,” he concluded.
This is Ancelotti’s last La League title race, since the Italian tactician will step down at the end of the season to become the new Brazil boss. It is expected that Xabi Alonso takes its place in the Bernabeu shelter.