Real Madrid's Courtois admits La Liga title race all but over after Clasico loss
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admits the La Liga title race this season may be over after a dramatic defeat at Barcelona on Sunday.
Real Madrid is 12 points behind Barcelona in La Liga after a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou on Sunday.
After the game, Courtois admitted that they only have a small chance to win the title this season.
He told LaLiga TV:
"We have to be honest. We will continue fighting, but there are four games difference.
"We have the advantage on goals [on head-to-head record], but it is difficult. Nothing is impossible, but... we will have to come here to win in the Copa del Rey [semi-final]."
Courtois believes Barcelona’s late equalizer in the first half changed the game in their favour.
He added:
"We played a great game. We both had chances. You go ahead, control and they strike before half-time. That affects us. With 0-1 at half-time, I don't think they would have won.
"In the second half we played well. We didn't have many chances but when they arrived we didn't take advantage of them. We were going for the victory, we left spaces and they scored a goal against us.
"I'm happy to help the team, but we haven't achieved victory. We mustn't give up. I'm sure we can come to win in the Copa del Rey and do well in the Champions League."
Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto, who scored the equalizer, insisted that the title race is not over yet.
"You can never say it. There are many games left and you can never say Madrid are dead,"
he said.
"12 points is a difficult distance to let go, but it depends on us, which is good.”
Marco Asensio’s goal for Real Madrid in the 81st minute was ruled out as offside, and Franck Kessie scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the 91st minute.
He added:
"We came back from a goal by Asensio that we hadn't realised was offside.
"Then we scored and it tastes better winning like that, at the last minute."
Roberto also said he wants to repay the club and Xavi for their belief in him.
"Today it was either Franck or me and in the end we both scored,"
he continued.
"I am very happy to continue in the club of my life. I have only played in this club. I thank Xavi, the board, the president. It is my way of returning my love. Now we can rest during the break."
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