Valverde: Barcelona Have No Fear Of Losing Title Race
Ernesto Valverde laughed off the idea that Barcelona are afraid of Real Madrid catching them in the LaLiga title race
Ernesto Valverde has scoffed at the suggestion Barcelona should be afraid they could be caught by Real Madrid in the LaLiga title race.
Madrid moved second in the table behind Barca, albeit still six points back, with a derby defeat of their city rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend.
Barca's successive draws in the league have opened the door to Madrid, with Valverde's men having seemingly been on track to comfortably defend the title.
Madrid have cranked up the mind games with two more Clasico meetings upcoming - the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final and a LaLiga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 2.
Captain Sergio Ramos said Madrid can catch Barca in the title race while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois claimed teams will be "scared" of facing Santiago Solari's in-form side.
Valverde, however, noted Barca are still in a strong position to do the double again, having drawn at home to Madrid in the first leg of their Copa Clasico clash.
"Afraid of what? We compete against the same teams as ever for the league," Valverde told reporters on Friday.
"Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla. To be scared when we are top of the league? I don't think so."
Valverde ended speculation over his long-term Barca future by agreeing a one-year contract extension on Friday, with the deal including an option for a further 12 months.
"I always told news conferences I have a good relationship with the club so it came about naturally," he added. "The club made a proposal some time ago and I had some time to think about it and analyse our progress.
"We felt it seemed like a good time to make an announcement. We are all on the same wavelength at the club so it was an easy decision for me.
"Whenever you sign a contract with a player or manager you have the best intentions and high expectations but we all know football, it's determined very much by results.
"I assume that yes they trust in me to get those titles, but we know how capricious football can be. You don't always end up winning even if you think you deserve to."
Valverde, though, is fully aware his stabilised position at Camp Nou could come under threat at the end of the season if Barca do not seal any silverware.
"If that happens then ask me again," he said. "But let's wait and see what happens first."
