Real Madrid veteran Raul has urged his side not to let up in their
pursuit of Barcelona, starting with the trip to Real Zaragoza.
Los Merengues' 2-0 defeat by Barca at the Bernabeu a
fortnight ago appeared to have put an end to their title chances
but Barca's failure to beat Espanyol last weekend has given Madrid
renewed hope.
They go into the clash at La Romareda a point adrift of their
arch-rivals with five games remaining in what has been a two-horse
race at the summit for most of the season.
And Raul has told his team-mates to win all five of those
games and hope Barca slip up once more.
He said: "The league is now out of our hands but we know that
if we get five wins we will be close. We must also hope Barca
suffer another hitch."
Asked if he felt the title was still a realistic aim, he
added: "It is more realistic than it was when Barca beat us.
"Two points have been gained and there is no reason why they
can't make another mistake. But the key is that we don't make any
mistakes."
Barca have had a rough week. Following on from their goalless
draw at city rivals Espanyol, they were beaten 3-1 by Jose
Mourinho's Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League
semi-final at the San Siro.
Raul hinted the setback - and the effort required to overturn
the tie - could also affect Pep Guardiola's men domestically.
He said: "Barca have a great capacity to overcome the defeat
to Inter but in football you never know what could happen.
"All we can think about is what we are doing, to win our
matches and put them under pressure.
"Then if they win their games and the league all we can do is
congratulate them."
Madrid's immediate task will not be straightforward. Zaragoza
are fighting for their Primera Division survival and their hopes
have not been helped by a run of three games without a win.
The slump has seen them slip to within two points of the
relegation zone and coach Jose Aurelio Gay knows his men face
another monumental challenge this weekend to get anything at all
from Manuel Pellegrini's Madrid.
In assessing the title race, Gay said: "Barca are in another
stratosphere yet Real Madrid are just a point behind which says it
all.
"The styles are different but the danger is just as great.
"The essential thing is to give them no space. Also, we
cannot lose concentration at the back when we attack."
Gay admits Madrid have quality all over the field and pointed
out the less obvious threats to his side.
"Everyone is talking about (Gonzalo) Higuain and (Cristiano)
Ronaldo but Xabi Alonso also requires special attention," he said.
"And then there is Guti. Perhaps not every coach would want
him in their team but everyone pays special attention to him when
he plays against them.
"You can't fill a team with Guti but one is needed."
