© EuroFootball.com
Madrir coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo told the Spanish sports newspaper "Marca" on Monday that Barcelona deservedly became Spanish champions, but added that his players lacked the time to become champions.
"They deserved to win," V. Luxemburgo said. "There was talk about referees and other influences, but they looked great this year, maintained a high level of play throughout the season, and deserved to win.
"They felt a lot of pressure from us, but they withstood it, and even though we dropped quite a few points, they deserved their success," the Brazilian said.
"Barcelona" secured the Spanish champions title last weekend after playing 1-1 with "Levante" in Valencia, ending a six-year break. In second place, "Real" played a draw with "Sevilla" away. With two rounds to go, these clubs are separated by six points, but "Barcelona" is safe due to a better head-to-head result.
V. Luxemburgo became the coach of "Real" at the end of last year. At that time, the Royal club was in crisis and was in 5th place on the table, 13 points behind the leading "Barcelona." V. Luxemburgo became the third "Real" coach this season: Jose Antonio Camacho left the team after directing only three championship matches, and Mariano Garcia Remonas lost his position after a 1-0 loss to "Sevilla".
In the 19 matches under V. Luxemburgo's leadership, the team's playing style has clearly changed (at the end of the season, "Real" started playing with three forwards), and the coach, who recently became the Brazilian champion with "Santos", told journalists that he believed he lacked time to win the Spanish champion title with "Real".
"I am very satisfied with how the team looked under my leadership," said the Brazilian strategist. "I am also disappointed because we were short of time to win the championship. I hope that next season I will lead the team for more than half of the season."
"Madrid's "Real" is a very big club. We can truly win the biggest trophies and we will do it - I am sure of that!" - V. Luxemburgo confidently concluded.
