Xabi Alonso has conceded defeat in the title race after Real Madrid drew with Real Valladolid at Jose Zorilla last night.
Madrid were in front through Sergio Ramos until Humberto Osorio’s 84th minute leveller, a goal that took the destination of the title out of Madrid’s hands.
Los Blancos are in third place, four adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid and a point behind Barcelona with two games to play.
“It’s virtually finished for us. There would have to be some unlikely results, but we’ll wait and see,” AS reports Alonso as saying after the final whistle.
“We haven’t kept the necessary tension with the importance of the match after we went ahead. We didn’t maintain this intensity and the result is a draw that is very important to them.
“In the second-half we didn’t have the concentration and intensity required.
“Hopefully we don’t repeat it because this was not a game to lower our guard.
“We weren’t in control and it was difficult. Mostly I’m annoyed because we failed to give importance to the second 45 minutes.”
Alonso was asked if he was concerned that this result and mini-slump – after the home draw with Valencia – would bleed into the Champions League final against Atletico on May 24.
The midfielder, who is banned for the showpiece in Lisbon, insisted that Madrid would be up for the final.
“They are symptoms that we don’t have to repeat. We’re ready for Lisbon, motivation is high and it doesn’t have to happen again,” he continued.
“The League is very difficult to keep up what’s required because it’s down to one game and if you let go, you’re out.”
Madrid also picked up a number of injuries at Jose Zorilla, with Cristiano Ronaldo replaced early in the match and doubts arising over Pepe and Angel Di Maria.
Gareth Bale missed the match as well but Alonso said injuries are a fact of life so late in the campaign.
“Clearly, at this point in the season you have to live with injuries. We’re without a few players but we should have had enough to win,” he lamented.
