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Javier Mascherano: One Real Madrid slip-up and Barcelona are back in La Liga race
The Argentine midfielder claims the Catalans have not given up on the league title and says his side will have no problem congratulating Madrid if they win the Primera Division
Feb 6, 2012 3:50:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Javier Mascherano has declared that Barcelona will be back in contention for the Liga title as soon as Real Madrid drop points.
The Camp Nou outfit have fallen off the pace in the Liga race as they now they find themselves seven points behind Madrid with 17 matches left to play in the competition.
Mascherano acknowledges that the distance between the two clubs is considerable but insists that Barca will remain focused on their games, waiting for Madrid to drop points.
"It is obvious that this is a big difference [between the two clubs], but we will fight until the end," the Argentine told reporters at a press conference.
"A draw for Madrid will put us back in the race if we win our matches.
"What we have to do is win our matches and wait for a slip-up from Madrid, although this will not be easy because they have a great team.
"But we have to keep in mind that the most important thing is what we do."
Nevetheless, the Argentina midfielder claimed there will be no bad blood between the two clubs if Madrid end up winning the title.
"If Madrid win all of their matches, we will obviously applaud and congratulate them for their great campaign," he explained.
"They will have deserved to win if that happens."
Quizzed on Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash against Valencia, Mascherano said that it will be "a hard match" and warned his side against complacency after last week's 1-1 draw at Mestalla.
"We have to enter the match with a winning mentality; we must not rely on the result of the first leg," he explained.
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £85.00 | Draw £55.00 | Barcelona £12.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £95.00 | Draw £55.00 | Barcelona £12.90 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £90.00 | Draw £50.00 | Barcelona £13.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £90.00 | Draw £60.00 | Barcelona £12.90 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £87.00 | Draw £53.00 | Barcelona £12.50 |
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The Camp Nou outfit have fallen off the pace in the Liga race as they now they find themselves seven points behind Madrid with 17 matches left to play in the competition.
Mascherano acknowledges that the distance between the two clubs is considerable but insists that Barca will remain focused on their games, waiting for Madrid to drop points.
"It is obvious that this is a big difference [between the two clubs], but we will fight until the end," the Argentine told reporters at a press conference.
"A draw for Madrid will put us back in the race if we win our matches.
"What we have to do is win our matches and wait for a slip-up from Madrid, although this will not be easy because they have a great team.
"But we have to keep in mind that the most important thing is what we do."
Nevetheless, the Argentina midfielder claimed there will be no bad blood between the two clubs if Madrid end up winning the title.
"If Madrid win all of their matches, we will obviously applaud and congratulate them for their great campaign," he explained.
"They will have deserved to win if that happens."
Quizzed on Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash against Valencia, Mascherano said that it will be "a hard match" and warned his side against complacency after last week's 1-1 draw at Mestalla.
"We have to enter the match with a winning mentality; we must not rely on the result of the first leg," he explained.
Starting in November and continuing through to the middle of February, Goal.com is publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. The last extract looked at how Barca suffered rare disappointment at the hands of Real Madrid in a gripping finale to last season's Copa del Rey. Don't miss it!
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Athletic Bilbao - FC Barcelona
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