Real Madrid Coach Manuel Pellegrini: Barcelona Are Not Liga Champions Yet

14-Apr-2010 11:05:00 PM

Los Blancos’ coach warns Barca they’re not there yet…

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has warned Barcelona they are not champions yet, insisting the Blaugrana's El Clasico victory at the Bernabeu won't be enough to secure the Liga title.

"We said before the Clasico that whoever won the match cannot afford to think they are the champions and that whoever lost cannot believe the league is over,” said Pellegrini at a press conference today.

“The season ends on May 16, so we will try to cut into the lead until the very last match.”

The Merengues will look to get their league challenge back on track tomorrow evening when they travel to Andalusia to face Almeria and the Chilean tactician is confident his side have what it takes to bounce back.

"This team will be able to pick itself up as it has done in the past,” assured Pellegrini. “Over the last three days I have seen the players get over the loss and focus on what needs to be done. We cannot afford any setbacks and winning the next seven matches will be crucial. It is important to be mentally prepared to snatch the three points against Almeria."

Finally, the coach admitted that he was well aware of the intense speculation suggesting he will be sacked at the end of the season but was adamant he wouldn’t let the rumours interfere with his goal of claiming the club’s 32nd Spanish league championship.

"Right now the least of my concerns is my future,” he said. “I am not worried about what will happen. We will sit down at the appropriate time to discuss options. Right now is not the time. All we must do now is focus on the next seven matches."

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