Xavi: The League Will Be Won On The Last Day
Xavi Hernández believes that the race for the Spanish league title will go right down to the wire as well as admitting that Barça cannot afford to make any mistakes now.
With five games remaining, the Blaugrana are two points above Real Madrid and four ahead of Sevilla and each game is now crucial as crunch time approaches.
"I think that the league will be decided on the final day," Xavi stated.
While Madrid have continued to build up their chances in every press conference, Frank Rijkaard's players are staying calm and repeating the mantra that they are in control.
Xavi did admit that Barça feel that they are in the best position and poked fun at Madrid for stating that they are better placed because being in second takes off some of the pressure.
"It’s in our own hands and we have the bull by the horns. If Madrid could choose, they’d like to be in our situation.
"They and any other team. We’re leading and we have to withstand the pressure until the end of the season and win the league.
"hey’re our rivals because they are second, two points behind. Also they’ve got the goal average in their favour and there’s no room for error.
"A draw or a defeat would put them above us in the table. We have to be at our best in these five matches; they are five Cup finals."
Despite slipping back in the race Sevilla are still only four points behind Barça and Xavi is well aware that they cannot be ruled out.
“They’re almost in the Cup final and they’ve qualified for the UEFA Cup final;" he explained.
"That says a lot about their season. Being in three competitions isn’t a mere coincidence and I’m not dismissing them. Although yesterday they lost a lot."
After predictions from Madrid that this would be a crucial weekend fell flat, Xavi highlighted how vital he believes the Blaugrana's win against Real Sociedad was.
“It was an important victory," he said. "The teams chasing us thought we would lose in San Sebastian.
"For us it meant breaking a bad run away from home and that’s good for our confidence in the upcoming matches."
Eto'o Enjoying The Title Chase
Samuel Eto'o has welcomed Real Madrid's pursuit of FC Barcelona for the title as he believes that a close race will be even sweeter when the Blaugrana win it.
The Cameroonian striker believes that winning the championship after a tight contest would more enjoyable than sweeping ahead to be awarded the trophy with several weeks to go.
Barça edged further clear at the top of the table over the weekend and now stand two points clear of Real Madrid following the teams' respective victories against Real Sociedad and Sevilla.
“A great champion needs strong opponents and Madrid are strong at the moment," Eto'o said.
“If we win the league, we’ll enjoy it all the more and the fans will enjoy it more.
"When you suffer, you value what you’ve got even more."
Eto'o believes that the chase between Barça, Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia for top spot is good for the image of Spanish football.
“The league is exciting and all of us who love football are happy to see the way things are going right now."
Despite the small gap, the former Real Madrid forward is confident that his team will hold out and collect their third consecutive championship in June.
“We still have it in our own hands and the teams behind us are waiting for us to slip-up. If we keep on winning we have nothing to worry about."
After scoring his tenth goal of the season in the victory at Real Sociedad, Eto'o raced to the other end of the pitch to celebrate with goalkeeper Víctor Valdés.
The 26-year-old was mystified by suggestions that it was a snub to the other players in the team and revealed that there was a perfectly legitimate explanation.
“Before going out on the pitch, I already had it all thought out in my head," Eto'o continued.
"Víctor always puts his arms up by himself while the rest of us are celebrating together.
“That’s looking for problems where there aren’t any."
"I then went to look for Ronaldinho because the goal was his. He set it up and all I had to do was push the ball in."
Despite scoring his seventh goal in all competitions since returning a five-month lay-off with a meniscus injury, Eto'o is still not back to his best.
“I’m still not as fit as in other years, but I’m happy when I see my matches and what I’ve given to the team," he said.
"It’s harder for me than the rest because I haven’t got the same muscle tone and when I play it seems like someone’s been hitting me the night before."
Del Bosque: Barcelona Still Favourites For Title
Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque believes that Frank Rijkaard and his boys are still the favourites to win the La Liga title.
"Barcelona FC are the big favourites," said an honest Del Bosque at a function this morning.
"However, if I were within the club, I would also tall the Real Madrid players that they can do it.
"Madrid have improved a lot lately, and can win it, but Barcelona are that main candidates.
"I believe that most people are of the same opinion. Real Madrid must not fail, and then hope that Barcelona do."