Carlo Ancelotti does not feel like a champion yet despite Barcelona’s shock defeat to Cadiz putting Real Madrid on the brink of reclaiming LaLiga.
Madrid will visit Osasuna on Wednesday with a chance to overtake 18 points.
They will win LaLiga soon on Sunday if they beat Osasuna, Atletico Madrid fail to beat Granada and Barca fail to win their next two games against Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano.
While Atletico and Barca continue to get results, Madrid have a healthy defensive advantage in the final weeks of the season and still have a chance to win the title at Atleti next month.
But Ancelotti’s focus is still on the work he has done, and Madrid should also play a two-legged Champions League semi-final against Manchester City and their LaLiga ties.
Ancelotti told a press conference before the match: “I have a lot of experience with this [champion] feeling.
“We are very close but it is not over, we have a good chance tomorrow, tomorrow is a good opportunity to get closer.
“Our numbers are simple. Three points against Osasuna and three against Espanyol. If we need more, three are against Atletico.
“You don’t have to be a mathematician, I love history better.”
Karim Benzema will play Osasuna, although Luka Modric will rest.
Casemiro will miss the Osasuna match after withdrawing from the team for what Ancelotti called a “minor problem”.
The Brazilian midfielder is expected to return for the first leg against City next Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.
