Barcelona coach Enrique insists league title race far from over

AFP , Saturday 27 Feb 2016

Luis Enrique
Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique smiles during a press conference one day after being awarded the 2015 FIFA World Coach of the Year, at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on January 12, 2016 (AFP)

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has stressed the European champions don't have their sixth La Liga title in eight years sewn up despite holding a commanding lead over Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Barca lead Atletico by eight points with Real a further point back in third with 13 games remaining.

Moreover, Enrique's men have the chance to extend their advantage over at least one of their title rivals when they host Sevilla on Sunday as Real and Atletico clash in the Madrid derby on Saturday.

"It would be a huge error to think that because you have a slight advantage you are going to win the league," Enrique said on Saturday.

"As a football professional it is impossible to see yourself as champions before you are mathematically.

"The three teams at the top will drop points between now and the end of the season. What interests me is that the rest do more than us."

Barca are one match away from matching the all-time record for consecutive matches unbeaten by a Spanish team of 34 set by Real Madrid in the 1988-89 season.

However, Sevilla were the last team to inflict defeat on Barca when the sides last met back in October.

"We'll approach this match like any other against an opponent that are high up in the table," added Enrique.

"Demanding is the word that springs to mind (when facing Sevilla.)"

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