sport news Ernesto Valverde dismisses claims Barcelona can win title this weekend

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde dismisses suggestions La Liga title race will be over if his side beat Atletico Madrid as Lionel Messi and Co gear up for Nou Camp showdown Barcelona are eight points clear of Atletico Madrid ahead of Saturday's clash But Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is refusing to accept a win would seal the title Valverde said on Friday that the gap 'is not definitive until it is mathematically so' Lionel Messi and his team-mates trained at the Joan Gamper complex on Friday

By Press Association Sport Staff

Published: 20:01 BST, 5 April 2019 | Updated: 20:01 BST, 5 April 2019

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has dismissed suggestions the La Liga title race will be over if his side beat Atletico Madrid in this weekend's battle of the top two at the Nou Camp.

A victory for the defending champions would move them 11 points clear of second-placed Atletico with seven games remaining.

For a side that has only lost three times in their last 75 league games, it seems unlikely Barca would let slip such an advantage but Valverde is taking nothing for granted.

Star forward Lionel Messi (second right) and his Barcelona team-mates trained on Friday

Star forward Lionel Messi (second right) and his Barcelona team-mates trained on Friday

He told a press conference as reported by the Spanish press: 'It (the gap) is not definitive until it is mathematically so.

'For many people, the league was decided in January. Then you lose a game and the league is back on. We need to carry on until the end.'

Asked if a draw would be a decent result, Valverde added: 'If you're losing 2-0 with three minutes to go, then yes a draw is a great result.

'But our intention is to win. Of course, anything can then happen in the game but we're setting out to win it.

'The three points are very important for both teams.'

Barca are still firmly in the hunt for the treble this season.

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