Cristiano Ronaldo admits Barcelona were "much better" than Real
Madrid on Saturday night, but still insists his side can win the
title.
Madrid went into the encounter at the Bernabeu holding a
slight advantage at the top of the table courtesy of their better
goal difference, but they are now three points behind their arch
rivals after slumping to a 2-0 loss.
To make matters worse for the capital club, Barca now also
boast the better head-to-head record having also won 1-0 at the Nou
Camp earlier this season, and that means Madrid need the defending
champions to drop points in at least two of their remaining seven
games if they are to pip Pep Guardiola's men to the championship.
Last term Madrid capitulated after being thrashed 6-2 in the
corresponding fixture, losing each of their final five games and in
the process their Primera Division title having prior to 'El
Clasico' trimmed Barca's lead at the summit from 12 points to four
following a remarkable run of results.
Madrid were also in stunning form going into last night's
game, with 12 successive league wins behind them and a 100% record
at home with 15 victories out of 15, and there is the danger now
that the fall-out from losing their fourth successive 'Clasico'
could spell the end of the club's challenge.
Madrid's players insist otherwise, however, with Ronaldo
saying: "Barcelona were much better than us, but we need to lift
our heads because there are seven games left.
"If we win the league you cannot talk about failure. We need
to believe it's possible.
"We're professionals and you cannot give up. We can win the
league.
"It's never good to lose but we have to learn from the
defeats. Sometimes we win and others we lose, but we'll see what
happens at the end."
Defender Sergio Ramos added: "The team are going to continue
fighting to the death and we have to lift ourselves because there
is still a lot of the league left."
The Spain international was also impressed by Barca, who took
the lead midway through the first half when Lionel Messi slotted
home his 40th goal of the season and then sealed the triumph just
after half-time with a breakaway goal from Pedro Rodriguez.
"Barcelona played an almost perfect match tactically," said
Ramos.
