REAL Madrid coach Juande Ramos was in bullish mood despite seeing his side slip six points adrift of pacesetters Barcelona in the race for the Primera Liga title.
Madrid had cut Barca's advantage from 12 points to just four in the three rounds of matches prior to last night's games.
But it was to be a step back again for the defending champions after they could only draw at home to local rivals Atletico while Barca downed Athletic Bilbao.
Ramos, whose side had won their previous 10 league matches, took the setback on the chin though, saying: "If we were able to recover eight points in just a couple of weeks, we can do the same now when we have to get back six.
"It's a difference of two matches and they still have to come here. There are still 12 matches left in the league, although now we must think about Anfield which is a game that's like a final."
Madrid must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Liverpool at Anfield if they are to avoid being knocked out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage for the fifth successive season.
"It's going to be a tough and exciting match. They players are eager to make the fans happy," Ramos added.
Madrid would have been hoping to travel to England with a derby victory under their belts, but in truth they can consider themselves somewhat fortunate to have escaped with even a point against their neighbours.
Atletico created by far the better chances and only a mixture of good goalkeeping from Iker Casillas, the woodwork and poor finishing denied the Rojiblancos what would have been a first win over their rivals in 10 years.
Real were not without their chances either though, especially early on, and Ramos felt the match could have gone either way.
"We needed a victory to continue our good run and continue our chase of Barcelona. Our opponents were a difficult team and the game was open and with chances for both sides, either could have won," he added.
"It's true that at the start we could have gone in front. Robben and Marcelo both had chances to put us ahead and that would've changed the game.
"Later on, Atletico Madrid could have won the game on the counter-attack.
"Atletico Madrid's matches are like that because they have dangerous players up front who are fast."
But it was to be a step back again for the defending champions after they could only draw at home to local rivals Atletico while Barca downed Athletic Bilbao.
Ramos, whose side had won their previous 10 league matches, took the setback on the chin though, saying: "If we were able to recover eight points in just a couple of weeks, we can do the same now when we have to get back six.
"It's a difference of two matches and they still have to come here. There are still 12 matches left in the league, although now we must think about Anfield which is a game that's like a final."
Madrid must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Liverpool at Anfield if they are to avoid being knocked out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage for the fifth successive season.
"It's going to be a tough and exciting match. They players are eager to make the fans happy," Ramos added.
Madrid would have been hoping to travel to England with a derby victory under their belts, but in truth they can consider themselves somewhat fortunate to have escaped with even a point against their neighbours.
Atletico created by far the better chances and only a mixture of good goalkeeping from Iker Casillas, the woodwork and poor finishing denied the Rojiblancos what would have been a first win over their rivals in 10 years.
Real were not without their chances either though, especially early on, and Ramos felt the match could have gone either way.
"We needed a victory to continue our good run and continue our chase of Barcelona. Our opponents were a difficult team and the game was open and with chances for both sides, either could have won," he added.
"It's true that at the start we could have gone in front. Robben and Marcelo both had chances to put us ahead and that would've changed the game.
"Later on, Atletico Madrid could have won the game on the counter-attack.
"Atletico Madrid's matches are like that because they have dangerous players up front who are fast."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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