Carlo Ancelotti believes it will take 100 points to be crowned La Liga champions this season after Madrid beat Espanyol.
A Pepe goal cut the gap between Madrid and Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to three points, with the leading pair on 50 and Madrid on 47.
Ancelotti feels the title-chasers will push each other so hard that the eventual winners will need to double the current tally held by Atleti and Barca.
“It’s not normal but this is the Spanish League where there are three very strong teams,” he told reporters.
“We’ve said it before. 100 points is what it will take and we need to get them. It will not be easy but we have excitement and enthusiasm.
“It was an important moment because Atletico and Barcelona are doing well and there are not many chances to cut the gap. We have to be satisfied.”
It was a Pepe goal that made the difference and Ancelotti revealed that the defender considering leaving Madrid over the summer.
“I think Pepe is having a very good season. At the beginning he was hesitant about staying but decided to after I told him he was important.
“It’s no co-incidence that in recent games we have done better.”
Angel Di Maria started the game days after raising the ire of a section of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd with what was perceived as an offensive gesture, having been cleared of any wrong-doing by the club.
Ancelotti praised the Argentine and congratulated all of his players on the victory.
“He played well. They all did. I’m satisfied with the game as the team has balance, played good football and has not taken risks. We cut the points [to the top two] and that was the objective.
“Everything has gone well. We started the game slowly and suffered in the first 15 minutes but after that we had many opportunities. After the goal we controlled the game well.”
Luka Modric’s free-kick set-up Pepe’s winner and Ancelotti pointed to Modric’s contribution as vital.
“He’s doing important work offensively and defensively. He maintains our balance and tempo.”
And Ancelotti also reiterated his belief that Cristiano Ronaldo would on Monday win the Ballon d’Or.
“We have said many words on this topic. Tomorrow they decide but all Madridistas expect Cristiano to win and nothing else.”
