Barcelona hero Jordi Alba makes Real Madrid claim

Coming into the season, Real Madrid were considered as the heavy favourites in the La Liga title race, while people hoped that Barcelona would be able to make a challenge and make things interesting. Half-a-season on, and things look very different right now and Xavi’s side are the ones who seem to be running away with the league at the moment, as they hold a convincing eight point lead over Los Blancos as things stand.

Real Madrid had started the season in dominant fashion but injuries, fatigue and a lack of form seem to have caught up to them in recent months. The title race seems to be very much in the hands of Barcelona right now.

Yet, recently Xavi seemed unwilling to consider Barcelona as favourites, even while holding a eight point advantage over Carlo Ancelotti’s side. And it looks like Jordi Alba has the same view on the title situation.

As reported by MARCA, when asked if they felt like favourites for the league, Alba said:

"“From experience I tell you that there is a lot of La Liga left, that Madrid is going to push hard until the end and it will be very difficult. It’s a considerable distance, but we can’t relax. It is in our hands to win it.”"

Barcelona hero makes Real Madrid claim regarding La Liga title race

It goes without saying that Barcelona are in the driver’s seat when it comes to the La Liga title race. They can open up a bigger gap at the top, while Real Madrid are away at the Club World Cup. The league leaders play Villarreal at the weekend, and will go eleven points clear of Los Blancos, if they win, albeit after having played a game more.

It would be way too early to count Real Madrid out completely though. It is worth remembering that at one point this season, they were the ones with the convincing lead at the top of the La Liga table.

That’s how quickly things can change in football. Thus, Real Madrid should focus on the task at hand, and that is collecting as many points as they can between now and the end of the La Liga season.