Madrid, May 15: Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has admitted that Catalan football giants Barcelo were deserving La Liga champions after losing out to their arch-rivals by one point.
Real won their last 12 league games, but Barcelo ended with five victories in a row after a breakdown in April saw their lead over Real closed from 10 points.
Barcelo finished with 91 points, while Real Madrid, who won 2-0 over Deportivo La Caru were one point behind in second place. Atletico Madrid claimed the third spot with 88 points after a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo in the fil game.
"We're all disappointed, but with 38 matchdays played, we can't change anything now. Barcelo deserved to win La Liga," Zidane, who has won 21 of his 26 games in charge, was quoted as saying by BBC on Saturday.
Barelo captain Andres Iniesta has now won eight La Liga titles, a third of Barcelo's total league championships. They have won six of the last eight titles -- including two in a row.
"La Liga is glorious. It is the competition of stability, the one we are able to win year after year. Whenever you win the league, it is a great season,” the Spain midfielder said.
Both sides have a cup fil yet to play. Barcelo face Sevilla in next Sunday's Copa del Rey fil, while Real face city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League fil on May 28. IANS