By Paul Giblin
FC Barcelona's failure to beat Betis on Saturday night coupled with Real Madrid's 4-0 triumph away to Sporting Gijon 24 hours later has opened up a debate over whether or not the race for the Primera Liga title is over.
With 15 games remaining in the season, Barcelona has seen a 12 point lead reduced to 10 points. That would normally be an unassailable advantage, but at Real Madrid they believe their club has a chance of overhauling the league leaders.
"We have to be patient, think in the short term and know that there is a long way to go in the season," said Juande Ramos on Monday.
Juande's leadership is one of the reasons that Madrid could still have a chance in the title race. Real Madrid has won eight Primera Liga matches in a row since losing 2-0 in Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium on Dec. 13.
Not only that, but the team has conceded just one goal in those eight matches. Should his side continue along those lines, Ramos could just produce a miracle. Real Madrid has recovered its confidence and that is vital.
Saturday's draw against Betis did allow Real Madrid to narrow the gap. However, Barcelona remains unbeaten since the opening day of the season and Pep Guardiola's had won its previous 10 league games.
Barcelona has produced the best football that Spain has seen this season. The Catalans have scored an incredible 70 goals in 23 league matches and conceded just 18.
The team has done this despite having played two games a week since the start of 2009, thanks to its progress in the Kings Cup. Real Madrid was knocked out in the early stages and that means that in 2009 Juande's side has played five fewer matches.
That situation will now change with the return of the Champions League. Both sides are still alive in Europe and with options of reaching the final of the continent's main competition.
Barcelona faces Lyon in the last 16 and is favorite to progress into the quarterfinals. Real Madrid plays Liverpool in a tie that is hard to call, although Real Madrid's recent form is slightly better than that of the English side.
Should either side be knocked out of Europe, that would give them an advantage in the Primera Liga. If both progress it could favor Barcelona's domestic ambitions.
