ll Sport I59 ' · 1 I The league starts anew now, says manager Martino after Clabco victory in Madrid I

Madrid Barca back in race aftCr thriller after their recent struggles. Messi hat-trick ke~ps "We knew that to win the league we had to win here and I think we saw a Catalan giants just a great spectacle on behalf ofboth teams. point behind bitter It was a very offensive match and the fans will have enjoyed it a lot. 1 rivals Real and Atletico "To win here at the Bemabeu is al­ ways a big blow. I doubt anyone doesn't I Madrid Wlderstand that with all the quality there is on show. "We had a lot of possession, arcelona boss GerardoI Martino we created chances and we deservedly I believes his side no"' have a won the game!' Pique also shrugged Bgreat chance to retain their La off Real's complaints, particularly from Liga title as a hat-trick , about the referee's handed them a vital 4-3 win!away to influence on the game. Alberto Undi­ Real Madrid on Sunday. 1 ano Mallenco awarded three penalties The Catalans still trail leaderS Atletico on the night, two to Barca and one to Madrid and Real by a point :f,"tl1 nine Real. (AFP) games to go. However, having peared out of the title race due to recen defeats away to Real Sociedad and Valladolid, Martino said his side had given them­ EL CLASICO OVER THE YEARS tl selves a second chance at th~ title. "The league starts anew qow:' he Did you know? said. "More than the matbemati- • became the cal distance we were behisld, the fifth coach to win in his first ever impression was people wrote us trip to the Bernabeu in charge off. Atletico Madrid were jalways of Barca. The only managers to in the fight and I think"thjt after achieve that before have been this result we are too. , , "That Barca and Real~qe fight­ and . ing until the end is nonhal and •It is 27 years since a league this year Atletico are tob. With game between Real Madrid and nine games to go they flle the Barca has ended without score at leaders. The reality is we have the Bernabeu. had dips and we are still not the leaders. We didn't p y well in Valladolid or San Se astian HISTORY MAKERS (against Sociedad), but wejPlayed very well tonight. The magical figures "With this result and bqost in confidence that allows us to look at the future with a bit more hope! 21 Numerical supremacy I Goals Lionel Messl has scored in a Messi deservingly took most pf the Claslco. It beats Real Madrid legend plaudits as he took his tally "in ClJlsicos Alfredo Dl Stefano's 18 against Barca to 21 to move outright as the aU-time leading scorer in the fixture an~ also overtook Hugo Sanchez to the 235