|
|
Zubizarreta admits catching Real Madrid will be complicated
The former Barca goalkeeper has conceded that retaining the Primera Division title will be tough for Pep Guardiola's men after falling 10 points behind the Blancos
13-Feb-2012 7:46:07 PM
By Enis Koylu
Getty Images
Closing the gap on Real Madrid in the race for the Liga title will be complicated, according to Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.
Pep Guardiola's men slumped to a 3-2 defeat to Osasuna on Saturday, allowing their Santiago Bernabeu counterparts to take a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the Primera Division table.
And the former Spain goalkeeper conceded that Real Madrid are now heavy favourites to win the league title.
"The league is rather complicated," Zubizarreta told reporters at the airport. "If Real Madrid are able to maintain this pace, they will win."
However, the 50-year-old urged his side to focus on Tuesday's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
"The team is ready to change gears and deal with the Champions League. This match doesn't affect the league."
Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen kick off at the BayArena at 20.45CET on February 14.
Pep Guardiola's men slumped to a 3-2 defeat to Osasuna on Saturday, allowing their Santiago Bernabeu counterparts to take a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the Primera Division table.
And the former Spain goalkeeper conceded that Real Madrid are now heavy favourites to win the league title.
"The league is rather complicated," Zubizarreta told reporters at the airport. "If Real Madrid are able to maintain this pace, they will win."
However, the 50-year-old urged his side to focus on Tuesday's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
"The team is ready to change gears and deal with the Champions League. This match doesn't affect the league."
Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen kick off at the BayArena at 20.45CET on February 14.
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!
Inside Goal.Com
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation
-
Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson
Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012
-
Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday