Gerard Pique vows Barcelona will ‘continue in the fight’ for LaLiga crown after they edged five-goal thriller in Valencia ahead of hosting league leaders Atletico Madrid
- Lionel Messi scored twice in 3-2 victory as Barcelona returned to winning ways
- It was vital in the title race after Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid also won
- It leaves Barcelona two points behind Atleti ahead of their clash on Saturday
- But Real remain ahead of Barcelona based on a superior head-to-head record
Gerard Pique remains confident that Barcelona can win the title, as a 3-2 victory against Valencia kept them firmly in the hunt ahead of their crucial clash against La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
A shock 2-1 defeat to Granada last week sent their title hopes into serious doubt, but a Lionel Messi-inspired second-half performance against Valencia last night has kept them well within reach of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
With the sides from the capital winning on the weekend too, it leaves Barcelona two points behind Atleti, while Ronald Koeman’s side are only behind Los Blancos based on an inferior head-to-head record.
Barcelona can move ahead of leaders Atletico Madrid if they beat them on Saturday
It sets up a mouthwatering weekend of football in La Liga this weekend, with Barcelona hosting Diego Simeone’s men, before Real Madrid host fourth-placed Sevilla – a side also well in contention.
Whatever happens on the weekend, Pique has vowed to fight until the last day of the season, as the side look to regain the title that they last won in the 2018-19 season.
Lionel Messi (right) and Antoine Griezmann (left) scored in their 3-2 victory against Valencia
‘We continue in the fight. The goal is to be there at the end of the season,’ Pique said in the post-match interview.
‘The only focus now is on play Atletico, and win. We have to beat them anyway and then there is Real Madrid v Sevilla.
‘I hope we will be leaders next weekend, but even if someone else is, I would not put my hand on fire for them as league champions.’
Diego Simeone (left) celebrates as Atletico Madrid beat Elche 1-0 to stay on top of La Liga
