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Mar 4, 2018 at 3.15pm UK
 
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Ernesto Valverde targets "juicy" win against Atletico Madrid

:Headline: Ernesto Valverde targets 'juicy' win against Atletico Madrid: ID:320020: from db_amp
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde insists that the La Liga title will not be won or lost against Atletico Madrid this weekend.

Ernesto Valverde has admitted that he has prepared for Barcelona's meeting with Atletico Madrid as though it is a major final.

The Catalan giants have seen their strong grip on the title relinquish slightly over the past month, having drawn three of their last five in the Spanish top flight.

To make matters worse for Barca, who were held 1-1 by Las Palmas on Thursday evening, they welcome closest challengers Atletico at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Valverde acknowledges the importance of the 90 minutes, with the 2014 champions just seven points worse off.

"It's an important game, but there is still a long way to go," he told reporters at his pre-match presser. "The points are important for what they could mean and [also] to stop the gap being cut even more.

"Our advantage is down to just five points after dropping two the other day, so now the points are worth even more and the prize is a juicy one. If we win, we go eight points clear and that's the intention. Winning would be an important step forward.

"But there's still a long way to go to decide the league, so I don't consider it a final. But we will prepare for it as if it's our last game, as if it's a final. That's the only way to prepare for games against Atletico."

Barca's lead over Atletico at the top of La Liga stood at 11 points heading into February.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239
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