Barcelona // Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone thinks his side's title chances may have gone as they were reduced to nine men in losing 2-1 to league leaders Barcelona on Saturday.
Victory moved the European champions three points clear of Atletico – having also played a game less – and seven ahead of third-placed Real Madrid.
“Barcelona continue to be very strong. In their strikers they have the goals and play that makes the difference,” the Argentine manager said.
“They are in a very good position, they have three points more than us and a game in hand. There is a long way to go and we will see, but normally they don’t falter.”
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Koke had given Atletico the perfect start at the Camp Nou with his 10th-minute opener a just reward for the visitors’ strong start. However, two goals in eight minutes from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez pierced Atletico’s usually rock solid defence to put Barca well on course for a fifth title in seven years.
“I am left with the team’s response to a difficult start and conceding the goal,” said Barca manager Luis Enrique. “We had 15 minutes where against a team as good as Atletico Madrid we were camped in their area and scored twice which put us in command.”
Barca’s performance was in keeping with recent games against Malaga and Athletic Bilbao as they struggled in the opening stages, but still had enough quality in Messi, to eventually dig themselves out of trouble.
Barca have already played nine games this year,and defender Javier Mascherano admitted there has been signs of tiredness in their recent displays.
“We lacked the spark we have had in other games ... it is not easy to play every two-and-a-half days. I think the result makes us stronger going forward.”
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