Real's 3-2 home win over Villarreal, combined with second-placed Barca's 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, means the league leaders now boast a nine-point advantage over the Catalan club at the top of the standings.

Real also have a favourable run-in, where out of the current top 11 sides in the division they only have to play Racing Santander and Almeria away from their Bernabeu home, where they have won all 10 league games this season.

Rijkaard is not about to throw the towel in just yet, though, although he did admit Sunday's draw at San Mames was "a psychological blow for the team" after seeing Athletic net a 79th-minute equaliser through Fernando Llorente.

"We had controlled things for a good part of the encounter," added the Dutchman, whose side took a first-half lead through Bojan Krkic.

"We have fought very hard and have been able to create several opportunities. If we continue like that, I'm sure we will be able to cut the gap (to Real Madrid).

"We cannot say that we are going to relinquish anything.

"We have to look at ourselves and concentrate on our work. We have to continue working and fighting hard."

Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta added on his club's website: "We will not say goodbye to the league until it is mathematically over. There still remain a lot of matches."