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Barca red hot title favourites：Simeone

Source: AFP | January 31, 2016, Sunday | Online Edition

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone conceded 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," said the Argentine.

"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."

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 boss 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.

"The objective was to kill the game. Despite them having one and then two players less we struggled to kill it off and it was an open game until the end."

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, Suarez and Neymar to eventually dig themselves out of trouble.

The Catalans have already played nine games this year, on the back of a hectic schedule to end 2015 which saw them travel to Japan to win the Club World Cup.

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 and it cost us. We put a lot into the game in midweek (against Athletic Bilbao) and it is not easy to play every two-and-a-half days.

"It is not an excuse, but, against the nine men, we made sure of the result, didn't take risks and won the three points.

"I think the result makes us stronger going forward. It was important to put some distance between ourselves and Atletico."

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