Barca's 2-0 triumph in 'El Clasico' on Saturday has left Juande Ramos' side with a mountain to climb if they are to complete a hat-trick of Spanish titles.

But Heinze reckons there is still much to play for with over half the season remaining.

"The season is far from over," he said. "All I need to focus on now is working. I can't play for Real Madrid and say it's over; we are mathematically still alive.

"It's obvious that if Barcelona don't lose any points they will be crowned champions. Hope is the last thing I will lose. I have faith in my team and we will do whatever it takes to start winning matches."

The Argentina international is currently sidelined with a leg injury and is taking his recovery one day at a time.

"(It's going) very well, but I'd really love to be training by now," he said on www.realmadrid.com.

"There are set dates and I don't know if I'm going to be fit by then. It's not my goal now. I have to take one day at a time and see how the week goes."

Madrid have conceded 26 goals in their first 15 games - more than any other team in the top flight.

Heinze knows the leaky defence must be fixed and soon.

"We need to change that," he said. "There's no other choice. It's not just a defensive problem, but rather of the entire team."

The former Manchester United man admits he and the players should take their share of the blame for the departure of Bernd Schuster earlier this month.

"I don't like change," he said. "If it happened, I too am responsible.

"It's a matter that makes me serious. I still haven't worked with Juande because I am injured, so I can't say (much about him as a coach). We have to let him work though and give him our full support."