90min

Arturo Vidal Insists Barcelona are Still in La Liga Title Race

By Tom Gott

Arturo Vidal's goal earned Barcelona a win over Real Valladolid
Arturo Vidal's goal earned Barcelona a win over Real Valladolid / Soccrates Images/Getty Images
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Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal believes that his side are still in the La Liga title race following their scrappy 1-0 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday.

La Blaugrana have already dropped points three times since football's return and needed an early goal from Vidal to ensure they didn't make it four against Valladolid.

They now sit one point behind leaders Real Madrid, who will have the chance to extend their lead back to four points when they travel to Granada on Monday evening. Speaking after the Valladolid game (via Goal), Vidal warned Real that Barça will not give up in their pursuit of the trophy.

"We know it depends. We just have to win all the games that we have remaining," Vidal said. "It doesn't depend on us. We just have to do what we have to do and see what the other teams around us do."

Barcelona have just two games left to play - at home to Osasuna on Thursday and away to Alavés on Sunday - and they know that they simply cannot afford to drop more points if they are to catch prevent Real from winning their first league title since 2016/17.

Quique Setien's side need a miracle if they are to win the title
Quique Setien's side need a miracle if they are to win the title / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Quique Sétien's side can reach a maximum of 85 points, but Real will be on 83 if they can beat Granada on Monday and would then need a total of three points from meetings with Villarreal and relegation-threatened Leganés.

Real could have won the title on Monday if Barcelona had dropped points in Valladolid. Despite Vidal's opening goal, it looked like that could be the case as the home side managed plenty of great opportunities to equalise and even win the game.

Antoine Griezmann missed a gilt-edged opportunity to seal the win, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen's usual heroics were needed to keep Barcelona's slim hopes alive

"We had our chances and didn't take them and we knew they'd have theirs," Vidal said. "We have to improve going forward and take our chances. The important thing is we've done what we came here to do and we've got three points."

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