Jose bemoans Real’s fixture log-jam

BARCELONA extended their lead over Real Madrid in the Primera Division title race as Jose Mourinho’s men were held to a goalless draw at Deportivo La Coruna.

Barca won 3-0 away at Real Mallorca earlier on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of the standings.

Lionel Messi gave the Catalans, missing key quartet Xavi, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and Dani Alves through a mixture of injury and suspension, a first-half lead by heading in his 26th league goal of the season.

And strikes from David Villa in the 57th minute and Pedro Rodriguez in the 66th sealed the win.

Madrid, in contrast, could not break down stubborn Deportivo, Cristiano Ronaldo having a goal ruled out for offside and Karim Benzema miscuing from just a yard out at the death.

Jose Mourinho then hit out at Spain’s football authorities, saying his players had not been given enough rest after Tuesday’s Champions League match in Lyon.

“I don’t know what would have happened if we had played on Sunday but it would have been fairer,” the former Chelsea boss said.

Valencia struck twice in the last 19 minutes to overturn an early deficit against Athletic Bilbao last night and strengthen their hold on third place.

Athletic took the lead through star striker Fernando Llorente but their celebrations were ruined by late goals by Valencia duo Juan Mata and Jonas Oliveira.

In Italy, Alexis Sanchez and Antonio Di Natale tore Palermo apart as Udinese romped to a 7-0 victory in Sicily.

Sanchez netted four on his return from a one-match ban and Di Natale grabbed a hat-trick as the Udinese attack ripped Palermo, who finished the game with nine men, to shreds and pushed their coach Delio Rossi, who vowed not to quit last night, closer to the door.

Parma striker Carvalho Amauri scored twice in the second half as Roma threw away another lead to draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Francesco Totti converted from the penalty spot in the 19th minute and his Roma team-mate Juan made it 2-0 before half-time.

Roma had blown a 3-0 to lose 4-3 at Genoa a week ago, a result that led to Claudio Ranieri stepping down as coach and being replaced by Vincenzo Montella.

It was also a bad weekend for Lazio, whose five-match unbeaten run came to an end yesterday as Andre Dias’ own goal condemned them to defeat at Cagliari.

Inter milan continue their improvement, as two goals in the final 20 minutes from Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o earned them a 2-0 win at Sampdoria, lifting them to second place in Serie A.

Meanwhile, Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is hoping his title-chasing team can rise to the occasion when they visit Serie A leaders AC Milan tonight.

Napoli have not won the Scudetto since 1990, when Diego Maradona was establishing a reputation as the best footballer in the world.

“The game in Milan is like a final,” said Mazzarri, whose side head to the San Siro three points behind Milan.

“We will go there without any fear, trying to impose our play and take home a very important win.”

Bayern Munich director of sport Christian Nerlinger has conceded the Bundesliga title to Borussia Dortmund after his team lost 3-1 at home to the runaway leaders on Saturday.

The result took Dortmund 16 points ahead of the defending champions with 10 games remaining and Nerlinger admitted the Bavarians can no longer think of catching their rivals.

Lucas Barrios put Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead in the ninth minute before Luis Gustavo brought Bayern level seven minutes later.

Nuri Sahin put Dortmund back in front within two minutes and Mats Hummels sealed Dortmund’s first win in Munich since 1991 after an hour to leave Bayern languishing in fourth.

In Ligue 1, Abdoulrazak Boukari scored against his former club as Rennes saw off Lens 2-0 to continue their title chase.

Boukari fired Rennes in front after 14 minutes before Victor Hugo Montano wrapped up the points in the 71st minute.

Lille were made to settle for a share of top spot as they were held to a draw by Lyon.

Needing victory to move clear of Rennes at the top, Lille led through Moussa Sow’s early strike. But Kim Kallstrom levelled after 26 minutes and that is how it stayed, leaving Lille top by goal difference alone with 46 points after 25 games.