Alba: "Atlético can challenge for the league"

"We're on top, but there's a long way to go, so we can't afford to get complacent. Atlético is only three points behind us and could easily overtake us at any moment". This is Jordi Alba's view of the current state of affairs in the upper echelons of 'La Liga' after thirteen rounds of fixtures.
The Catalan full-back also discussed the fact that, following the substitution of Dani Alves, Barça had eleven graduates of its academy, La Masia, on the pitch together at the Ciutat de València stadium: "It's a source of pride and it only goes to show what great work we are doing with the youth set-up".
The FC Barcelona defender insisted that the team doesn't pay "much attention" to the Real Madrid manager, José Mourinho, when he complains of supposed favouritism towards Barcelona, and also gave his opinion on the upcoming Madrid derby: "I want Barça to win. We shouldn't be worried about matches that don't involve us. So long as we keep winning, we'll do well", Alba stated.
After noting that "Atlético is three points behind and is having a fantastic season, while Madrid is 11 points off", Alba insisted that the title race "isn't over. Atlético had a great end to last season and is now proving that it can challenge for the league. We shouldn't rule out anyone, let alone the team in second place. And Real Madrid is going to keep fighting until the end because it is a very important competition".