The Spanish newspapers are unanimous the day after Barcelona’s victory over Real Madrid (2-1): Barcelona can no longer be overtaken. The team of coach Carlo Ancelotti is twelve points behind the Catalans. With twelve games to play, it will be an almost impossible task according to the Spanish media Los Blancos to overtake the arch-rival. Frenkie de Jong can count on a lot of praise after the game.
“An oasis of calm on the ball”, the Spanish daily Sport Frenkie described Monday morning. “He is in strong form, plays elegantly, closes gaps and is decisive at Barca as a playmaker.” Also the Spanish quality newspaper ABC praised the fifty-time the Dutch international. “Reliable with the ball. He is the linchpin of the team. The Dutchman determined the pace at which Xavi’s team played.”
After the victory in el Clásico los Azulgrana an advance on the title. ASH headlined on Monday morning that Barcelona had decided the title race and that it seemed that Real Madrid had rather quickly resigned itself to a final second place in the table in the game. Also El País does not see an exciting title fight ahead. “Barca have won and practically decided the championship.”
Xavi himself was also very satisfied with the performance of his team. “We dominated the entire game. We were better and had the most chances. This is one of my best days as coach of Barcelona. We worked hard, both defensively and offensively. I am very satisfied”, said the trainer of the Catalans afterwards.
Ancelotti felt after the match that his team had had the better of the game. “We played a good game, we deserved to win. We leave the stadium with the feeling that we can finish the season well.” Marco Asensio saw another goal rejected at 1-1 due to marginal offside. “We didn’t win thanks to the disallowance of that goal. We still have our doubts. At the World Cup it was all very clear, now I’m not so sure,” said Ancelotti after the game.