Real Madrid cannot afford any further slip-ups if they want to win Liga for a second year in a row, Carlo Ancelotti has warned after three games without victory.
Madrid drew Manchester City to reach the last 16 of the Champions League in the midweek, but they have not won in the competition since they defeated Real Valladolid.
With Atletico Madrid and Osasuna-the last match that Jude Bellingham saw sends to direct insulting language with the referee-filled by a 1-0 defeat in Espanyol.
Barcelona has benefited to go target difference at the top and to occupy the driver's seat in the title race, with Atletico Madrid one point in the back in third place.
Both parties play for Los Blancos this weekend, which means that the pressure can be piled up before the defensive champions are girona on Sunday.
“It's a crucial moment in the season and we have to repeat our good performance against City,” said Ancelotti on Saturday.
“We can't afford to make more mistakes, the competition is very competitive and every game is vital to get strong to the end of the competition.
“It's true that we have had a bit of bad luck and I think we played against City pretty well, so we have to continue in this mind, because if you play well and have a good attitude, the results will reward you.”
The OPTA Supercomputer still makes Madrid favorites to eliminate the title with a chance of 44.9% to be over the stack. Barcelona donates them in 41.5% of seasonal simulations, while Athleti does this in 13.4%.
The men of Ancelotti finished 10 points from the second place Barca last season, but the Italian expects the title race to go to the thread of this campaign.
“This is the key in a competitive competition like here in Spain, which is very difficult to win. There are three teams within one point and they are teams of a very high level,” Ancelotti added.
“I believe that the title will be decided this year in the last competition.”
Madrid also has to fight with Athleti in the Champions League, after the two Cross-City rivals were linked together in Friday's last-16-sign game.
“They will face them, as always. But I think it will be a beautiful, entertaining and balanced draw. The quality of the two teams is similar,” Ancelotti said about that draw.
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