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Daniel Alves says Real Madrid are lucky, they already have a double-digit margin at the top LaLiga after Barcelona’s 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Barca have lost just two LaLiga games since Xavi took over from Ronald Koeman, but they have played an almost impossible game catch up, only winning four of the initial 12 games and letting Real Madrid to streak ahead.
Madrid is 15 points ahead of second-placed Barcelona, who have one match in hand, but even with six matches left for the latter, the title race is really over.
Claiming eight of their last 10 domestic games, including a 4-0 demolition of the soon-to-be champions at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 38-year-old believes Real Madrid are so lucky Barcelona did not pull themselves together earlier.
“Lucky for them [Real Madrid] we have not arrived before, ”Alves told Movistar + after the match. “We always plan to compete differently, but in the end, life is like that. We arrived late and had to make a huge effort to take advantage of them.
“We already knew it was very difficult due to the state of the rival and the situation, but I insist, lucky for them, that we have not come earlier.”
And now a word from today’s match-winning goal scorer, @Auba pic.twitter.com/PKo390an1B
—FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 21, 2022
Anoeta had been a traditionally difficult venue for Barcelona, but they have not lost there in LaLiga since the renovation of the stadium was completed in 2019.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal in the 11th minute ultimately proved the difference, but the Brazilian defender believes it was not an easy task to claim the three points from San Sebastian.
“We knew it would be difficult because it is always very difficult here,” Alves said. “The stadium is very tight, we controlled a little more in the first half, and then we lowered the intensity, but you have to know how to suffer. In football, it’s hard to win, but you win.
“We wanted to balance the team a little more and the goal came and decided the match. You have to know how to suffer to win matches.”
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