Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello insisted that the Spanish Primera Liga title has not been settled in his team's favor yet. Los Blancos are three points away from clinching the title after some late drama on Saturday kept Capello's team on top of the Liga standings ahead of Barcelona. Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored in the 90th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw for the Capital club at Real Zaragoza, while Espanyol's Raul Tamudo shattered Barca's title hopes with an equalizer at almost the same second to make it 2-2 at Nou Camp. "We haven't won anything yet. There's still one game left," Capello told a post-match press conference. Real will meet Mallorca next week, and a win is enough to make them Spanish champions for the first time since 2003, despite their poor start to the season. The Italian tactician praised his team's determination to make up for their first half performance and come back twice from a goal down. "In the first half, we played without composure and organization, but in the second, we looked to make up for that. "What we saw on the pitch was a lot of heart, desire, and great team spirit. I am very satisfied with the result, and the dressing room is very happy," he added.
Rijkaard On the other hand, Barca coach Frank Rijkaard admitted that the late draw was almost as bad as a defeat, and that the team should learn from their mistake. "We all have to get over this and accept that this draw is like a defeat for us," he said. Barca's hopes depend heavily on an unexpected stumble from Real Madrid when they face Mallorca at Bernabeu, but the Dutchman seems to have no options. "We have to prepare for the last game as it's still mathematically possible. We have to keep working and fighting until the end." "There are moments which serve to help the future. It's a lesson but we have to move forward and not lose our pride." Rijkaard believes that Real Madrid's late equalizer at Romareda is not important as long as his own team failed to register a win at Nou Camp. "When there's noise emanating from the stands, it means something has happened, but what does it matter if you don't win yourself." Title holders Barcelona concluded their league campaign away to relegated Gimnastic on Sunday.
