Marcelo explains why Barcelona are 14 points clear of Real Madrid - it’s very, very simple
MARCELO insists the La Liga title race isn’t over despite Real Madrid’s El Clasico defeat to Barcelona.
GETTY
Barcelona are now 14 points clear of Zinedine Zidane’s men following the 3-0 win at the Bernabeu.
Marcelo has a simple reason why the gap is so big - because Real Madrid’s rivals have “won more matches, that’s all”.
But he is refusing to give up on the title race.
The Brazilian said: "It's not lost. I don't believe in miracles, but in hard work.
"We played well in the first half But we then conceded the opener and had a penalty and red card shortly afterwards.
Related articles
GETTY
"If it's hard to play against Barcelona with 11, imagine it with 10.
“We have spoiled you and you think that we must always win.
"La Liga is the best league in the world and it's hard to win.
"This is sport and sometimes you win, while sometimes you lose.
"The gap to Barcelona is because they have won more matches, that's all."
LA LIGA REVIEW
Leaders Barcelona hold a nine-point advantage at LaLiga's winter break after a 3-0 win at Real Madrid in El Clasico.
Atletico Madrid are second, with fourth-placed Real 14 points adrift of their rivals Barca after a chastening loss at Estadio Bernabeu.
Zinedine Zidane's men, champions last season, had the better of a tight first period but Barcelona took control in the second and Luis Suarez swept home the opener from Sergi Roberto's cross.
A Lionel Messi penalty took the game beyond Real. It was a strange spot-kick award by referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, who could simply have awarded a goal rather than a penalty after Dani Carvajal handled on the line but then knocked the ball in as he lost his footing.
Carvajal was also sent off, but it took until the third minute of stoppage time for Barca to add to their tally.
Substitute Aleix Vidal added the third and the title now looks almost certain to return to the Nou Camp as LaLiga breaks until the resumption on January 6.
Valencia missed the chance to climb above Atletico Madrid into second place by falling to a 1-0 loss at home to Villarreal.
Carlos Bacca's first-half strike proved the difference as Valencia's Simone Zaza was sent off for two yellow cards in three second-half minutes.
Manu Trigueros was then dismissed for two bookable offences as the visitors also finished the match with 10 men.
Iago Aspas scored twice as Celta Vigo beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-1.
Daniel Wass gave visitors Celta a 1-0 lead after four minutes and Aspas struck either side of half-time to render Florin Andone's strike mere consolation.
