Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho remains cautious amid La Liga title talk

Jose Mourinho has dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid could have La Liga wrapped up by the time they play Barcelona at Camp Nou in late April.

Madrid are currently ten points clear of their title rivals, but Mourinho is remaining cautious. “It’s silly to say that we are going to open up a 15 point gap over a team like Barcelona,” said the Portuguese in his Friday press conference. “If we win La Liga by one point alone it will be fantastic.” 

But with victory against Racing Santander at the Bernabéu on Saturday night, Madrid - who travel to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League next week - can extend their lead to 13 points. “We are in a good position in La Liga but there are a lot of games left, and each one will be difficult,” warned Mourinho.

Barcelona’s 3-1 win against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday provided temporary relief from their stuttering domestic form, but they face a difficult game at home to third-place Valencia on Sunday, which they must win if they are to retain any hope of overhauling Madrid.

Valencia come into the match having seen off Stoke 1-0 in their Europa League clash on Thursday, and a shock victory would put them within five points of Pep Guardiola’s side.

In Serie A, AC Milan will be aiming to hold on to top spot after their hammering of Arsenal on Wednesday when they face lowly Cesena on Sunday. Chelsea’s opponents Napoli, meanwhile, prepare for their first ever appearance in the last 16 of the Champions League with a trip to Fiorentina on Friday night.

Manchester United and City’s Europa League opponents Ajax and FC Porto face uphill tasks in the second-legs of their ties next week. Before then, Ajax host NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie on Sunday, while Porto are away to Vitoria Setubal in the Portuguese Liga on the same day.