Real Madrid's Thibaut Coutois admits title race all but over after the Clasico loss

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Coutois admitted that the ‘Whites’ chances of clinching the LaLiga title have all but disappeared after Barcelona’s 2-1 El Clasico win on Sunday left the Spanish Giants 12 points behind the league leaders. 

Madrid went ahead early at the Camp Nou courtesy a Ronald Arajuo’s own goal. Sergi Roberto equalised before half time, and- as both sides pushed for a late winner- Marco Asensio had a disallowed goal for offside before Frank Kessie scored in the added time. 

Barcelona are on the top of the league standings with 68 points to their name and are on course for the first league title since 2019, with Madrid trailing on 56 points with 12 ties left to play. With this win, Barça have proven a strong case in this title race. They have now won their last three games against the Los Blancos. 

"Yes, we have to be honest," Courtois told Movistar, when asked if the title race was over. "We wanted to fight until the end, but now it's four games' difference... They'd have to lose four games, and we'd have to win all of them. Nothing is impossible, but it's very difficult."

Marco Asensio came in as substitute and almost kept Madrid’s title hopes alive when he converted Dani Carvajal’s pass in the 81st minute to put the visitors in the lead, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR-  a decision deemed questionable by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"We deserved to win," Ancelotti told Movistar. "The game was won. Then we have doubts about the goal that was disallowed... Do you think it was offside? We have to accept it, but I have my doubts. Nothing is certain. We have the right to have doubts."

"I don't know, honestly," the Italian said, when pushed on the issue in his post-match news conference. "I thought offsides were quite clear at the World Cup, with [semi-automatic offside technology]. I have my doubts. It changed [the game]. Was it offside? I'm not sure. If the VAR is sure, great."

Madrid will now turn their attention to the Copa del Rey- where they will return to the Nou to play Barca in their semi final second leg on April 5– and the Champions League, where they will lock horns with Chelsea in the quarterfinals the following month. 

"We're sad, we're hurting, but we're proud of the game we played," Ancelotti said. "If we play like that for the rest of the season, we'll win something for sure."