Agency :
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said his side would find it difficult to win the La Liga title after they ended a traumatic 2020 with a 1-1 draw at home to minnows Eibar on Tuesday.
The result left Barca sixth in the standings and seven points behind Atletico Madrid, who have played two games fewer than the Catalans.
“If we are realistic, winning the championship is very difficult for us,” Koeman told reporters. “Nothing is impossible but we have to acknowledge the big points distance with Atletico, who are in very good form, looking strong, winning a lot games and not conceding many goals.”
Barca have won eight of the last 12 La Liga titles and if Koeman’s pessimistic prediction is proved right, they will fail to win the title for two years in a row for the first time since the 2007/08 season.
The Catalans were missing the injured Lionel Messi but still had plenty of opportunities, including Martin Braithwaite missing a penalty and Ousmane Dembele coming close on several occasions.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said his side would find it difficult to win the La Liga title after they ended a traumatic 2020 with a 1-1 draw at home to minnows Eibar on Tuesday.
The result left Barca sixth in the standings and seven points behind Atletico Madrid, who have played two games fewer than the Catalans.
“If we are realistic, winning the championship is very difficult for us,” Koeman told reporters. “Nothing is impossible but we have to acknowledge the big points distance with Atletico, who are in very good form, looking strong, winning a lot games and not conceding many goals.”
Barca have won eight of the last 12 La Liga titles and if Koeman’s pessimistic prediction is proved right, they will fail to win the title for two years in a row for the first time since the 2007/08 season.
The Catalans were missing the injured Lionel Messi but still had plenty of opportunities, including Martin Braithwaite missing a penalty and Ousmane Dembele coming close on several occasions.