Spanish media writes off Madrid's La Liga hopes
Source: Agencies |
February 2, 2011, Wednesday
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THE pressure is on Jose Mourinho to prove to the Spanish football world that he is indeed the "Special One."
Spanish media have already written off Real Madrid's title chances after a 0-1 loss at Osasuna left the club trailing two-time defending champion Barcelona by seven points in the standings.
"Seven Points, Too Much" sports daily AS splashed across its front page, while Marca said it was time to focus on the two other trophies still available in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Barcelona-based daily El Mundo Deportivo was succinct: "League KO."
Mourinho, the self-anointed "Special One," was hired by Madrid to snap two-plus seasons without silverware. The Portuguese coach led Inter Milan to a treble last season but has come up against a Barcelona team that just equaled a league record with its 15th straight win.
Madrid went into Sunday's match against Osasuna stating it needed to win all of its remaining games to keep up the pressure on Barcelona. But even new signing Emmanuel Adebayor couldn't make that happen.
"It's our second league loss, and it leaves us in a much more difficult position in respect to the standings," said Mourinho, a former Barcelona assistant coach who is in his debut season with Madrid.
Barcelona is on course to set records in most domestic categories if it continues on its current run, which included a club record 28-game unbeaten run in all competitions until a loss to Real Betis in an already lopsided cup series win.
"This year we can win the treble," Barcelona defender Eric Abidal said on Monday, "but the journey will be very long and we'll have to work hard to the very end."
A victory against Atletico Madrid on Saturday would see Barcelona set a record of 16 straight league wins to topple Real Madrid's mark from 1960-61. The club's 10th straight road victory leaves it closing in on another record for consecutive away wins to start a season.
Spanish media have already written off Real Madrid's title chances after a 0-1 loss at Osasuna left the club trailing two-time defending champion Barcelona by seven points in the standings.
"Seven Points, Too Much" sports daily AS splashed across its front page, while Marca said it was time to focus on the two other trophies still available in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Barcelona-based daily El Mundo Deportivo was succinct: "League KO."
Mourinho, the self-anointed "Special One," was hired by Madrid to snap two-plus seasons without silverware. The Portuguese coach led Inter Milan to a treble last season but has come up against a Barcelona team that just equaled a league record with its 15th straight win.
Madrid went into Sunday's match against Osasuna stating it needed to win all of its remaining games to keep up the pressure on Barcelona. But even new signing Emmanuel Adebayor couldn't make that happen.
"It's our second league loss, and it leaves us in a much more difficult position in respect to the standings," said Mourinho, a former Barcelona assistant coach who is in his debut season with Madrid.
Barcelona is on course to set records in most domestic categories if it continues on its current run, which included a club record 28-game unbeaten run in all competitions until a loss to Real Betis in an already lopsided cup series win.
"This year we can win the treble," Barcelona defender Eric Abidal said on Monday, "but the journey will be very long and we'll have to work hard to the very end."
A victory against Atletico Madrid on Saturday would see Barcelona set a record of 16 straight league wins to topple Real Madrid's mark from 1960-61. The club's 10th straight road victory leaves it closing in on another record for consecutive away wins to start a season.
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