Most Spanish football fans were sure on Monday that the battle for the league title was practically over after Barcelona moved seven points clear of second—placed Real Madrid on the weekend. While Barca won 3—0 at Herculis Alicanta to tie Real’s 50—year—old record of 15 league victories in a row, the whites creashed 1—0 at Osasuna on Sunday.
A poll taken by Madrid daily Marca showed on Monday that no less than 83.6 per cent of readers believed that the league title was “already decided.” The headline in Marca was “Time To Go For The Cups,” with the implication that Real shouldgive up on La Liga already and concentrate on the King’s Cup and the Champions League. The whites face Sevilla in the cup semi—finals on Wednesday, and French club Olympique Lyon in the Champions League round of 16 in February.
A similar poll taken by Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo, which is mostly read by Barcelona fans, showed that 73 per cent of readers consider the battle over. However, only 56 per cent of readers of rival daily Sport think that Real are already dead and buried.
