Alves Writes Off Real Madrid
04 February 2013
A leg weary Barcelona may only have managed a draw against Valencia on Sunday night, but more importantly, an equally exhausted Real Madrid slumped to defeat against Granada the day before.
The gap between leaders Barca and champions Real is now 16 points, and Barca defender Dani Alves says that Los Blancos are no longer a major threat to his team’s title ambitions.
Instead, Alves says Barca are looking over their shoulders at second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s side beat Real Betis on Sunday night, making up two points on Barca, and drifting three points further afield of Real.
Los Rojiblancos are now nine points behind Alves and co, and while the Brazilian and his team-mates should be able to maintain that gap until the end of the season, he says they are wary of the men from Madrid’s working class team.
"People talk a lot about Madrid when our rivals are Atletico," Alves said.
"We should not look to the team in third place, because there is a team in second. They are closer and, if we do not pay attention, they could surprise us."
Meanwhile, Alves says Barca were happy to have escaped the Mestalla with a point.
Valencia have been nuggety at home this season, and gave Barca a scare from the first minute to the last, when ‘keeper Victor Valdes was forced into a match saving stop from Los Che skipper, Roberto Soldado.
And so Alves admits the Blaugrana travelled home to the Camp Nou with a sense of relief.
"Given the circumstances of the game, we are leaving happy to have picked up something in a ground like this,” he said.
"When you are not at your best, you must be intelligent - if you cannot win, you need to get a point."
comments
Arbeloa shud've wooped sum dwarf @ss
Submitted by: boykiss
Date: 06 February 2013, Time: 08:47:20
@Key-key heheheheee!. Seems lyk Madrid is tasting the sword Arbeloa kicked Messi off the ball and Messi returned the favour outside the pitch 2 save him the embarassement infront of thousands pity his wife was there. OG7 is also inflicting more pain 2 their sorry behind. Let em talk but they hav 2 go thru Atleti 2 be called contenders and if they dont like that they can go and cry in the park...
Submitted by: Hlubzin
Date: 05 February 2013, Time: 10:51:13
The truth is Madrid is no longer the same since the arrival of Moureen,He turn them frm being a football club to a boardroom club,@ one stage the likes of Pepe,Ramos,Albeloa,Contrao & Xabi undergone stiff marshal art training,hence the flying kicks that would hv made Bruce Lee envy with jealousy,He must just leave! The writing is on the wall! "MENE MENE TEKEL OPHARISAN"
Submitted by: Keykey
Date: 05 February 2013, Time: 10:25:39
Dani Alvez is juz telling it lyk it is,he's telling us a fact! Madrid wil neva catch up therefore the lig is a wrapp 4 da gr8 Barcelona,Copa del rey is also at our finger tips.Madrid shuld focus on Champslig nd gtting to da semi-finals coz thts whr thy'l end up,coz thrs no way thy'l make it to da final.Howeva I'll b supporting them 100% against Man UTD nd I blieve n knw tht Madrid wil beat Man UTD handsomely.After all thyr coached by the best coach on earth Mourinho.
Submitted by: Talent20
Date: 05 February 2013, Time: 07:52:08
The only reasn albeloa didnt pump his fists on messi was becous his son was taller than da man in question(messi).........his wife even sugestd they report the swearing kid to his parents -they even cald for the boy to be grounded witowt the acess of mxit,f.b and real football 08 and 09 games.
Submitted by: LEEROY246
Date: 05 February 2013, Time: 03:59:18
When mou was accused of waited on parking area for referee u believed! It is very clever to tell u onside of a story to portrait good image for public so that he win votes of baLlad oR even wen he don't deserve
Submitted by: VIPER305
Date: 05 February 2013, Time: 03:28:53
@wetinho then why wasn't reported on sl?
Submitted by: VIPER305
Date: 05 February 2013, Time: 03:20:26
So wat? He z indeed mourinhoz puppet...everyone knwz it!!!
Submitted by: Westinho
Date: 04 February 2013, Time: 20:54:47
@viper305,then you ought to have more sense than that.
Submitted by: kvitova
Date: 04 February 2013, Time: 20:11:09
    Latest Scores Messi called Karanka 'Mourinho's puppet' after El Clasico - Callejon The Blancos attacker says that the 25-year-old Argentine waited around after Wednesday's Clasico in order to aim insults at Real Madrid's playing and coaching staff 1 Feb 2013 13:50:00 the Argentine had also approached Arvalo Arbeloa after the game, backing up reports that he had a heated exchange with the Spanish defender in the Santiago Bernabeu's parking area  José Callejón - Real Madrid
Submitted by: VIPER305
Date: 04 February 2013, Time: 20:08:43