Sociedad coach throws challenge at Real Madrid
Real Sociedad's French coach Raynald Denoueix on Monday threw down the gauntlet to European champion Real Madrid that his Basque club would fight it to the end for the Spanish title.
Real Sociedad's French coach Raynald Denoueix on Monday threw down the gauntlet to European champion Real Madrid that his Basque club would fight it to the end for the Spanish title.
The title chase was thrown wide open this weekend after Sociedad shocked Real 4-2 to move within three points of the leaders along with Deportivo La Coruna, which dismissed Barcelona by a similar scoreline at the Nou Camp.
"We're keeping the suspense until the end of the Liga. For us this win was almost vital. If we'd lost we ran the risk of letting them (Real Madrid) out of our sight," Denoueix told AFP.
The Basque club has breathed life back into a league which many had thought was in the bag for Real Madrid, which before this weekend had a six point lead on its pursurers.
But the slayers of Manchester United midweek, who had hoped to hold a nine-point advantage with a win against Sociedad and an expected loss by Deportivo to Barcelona at Nou Camp, were brought swiftly back to earth.
As the league enters its final phase the top three will not meet each other again with nine games left, and each of the three have the capacity to win the championship.
Real Sociedad, which held the lead for two-thirds of the campaign, is well armed with goal kings Serbian Darko Kovacevic and Turkey's Nihat Kahveci, who have scored 33 goals between them.
The club has returned to the top of its game after a drop in form following the winter break in January.
Deportivo, the 2000 champions, is also serious challengers despite a less than convincing performance early in the season.
The return of inspirational midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron has helped as he can team up with the Liga's top scorer Roy Makaay, who has netted 22 goals this season for the Galicians.
Real Sociedad, which failed to qualify for the Champions League, and Deportivo, which was eliminated, also have a lighter schedule than Real Madrid, which looks set for the semifinals after its 3-1 first leg win over Manchester United.
Real remains confident it has the advantage.
"We lost against top rivals Real Sociedad. That's true, you can't hide it. But if we look at the championship objectively we are the leaders by three points. We have the advantage," said Real's Brazilian left back Roberto Carlos.
Denoueix, who was sacked by French side Nantes, with whom he spent 33 years and lead to the 2001 French league title, was, however, refusing to hedge his bets.
"I've never won a bet in my life so I won't do it now," added the Frenchman, who is hoping to give his club its first title since the 1981-1982 season.