Don't write-off Barcelona yet: Gabi

Gabi in action for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi insists that Barcelona cannot be written-off in the race for the La Liga title but remains confident that his side can successfully claim their first league title since 1996.

Los Rojiblancos currently top the Spanish league charts with 88 points, with just 2 games remaining. Their recent 2-0 defeat away to Levante has blown the title race wide open, as the other 2 sides in contention- Real Madrid and Barcelona too, dropped points.

“We’re in a privileged position of being able to depend entirely on ourselves. We’ll be trying to win on Sunday against Malaga and then close the season at Barcelona, who will also be doing everything they can to win their last two games,” Gabi told reporters.

“The Barca players have demonstrated their professionalism and they’re still candidates for La Liga right now, even given where we are and have the lead.”“The only way for us to be champions, as far as we’re concerned, is to win our game on Sunday and get at least a point at Barcelona.”

The Madrid side have contested the Catalans 5 times this season, winning 1 and drawing 4. The most recent clash coming in the UEFA Champions Legaue quarter finals where Atletico registered a 2-1 aggregate victory.

The 30-year old midfielder feels his side can notch yet another good result when they travel to Barcelona on the final day of the season. “We’ve already shown we’re capable of beating them,” he added.“We’ve had a lot of games against them, we’ve drawn four and won one, so we’ll go there and try to beat them again.”

Atletico Madrid take on a feeble Malaga side at home this weekend, needing only 4 points out of the remaining 6 to win the league title.