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Real Madrid focused on league title

Fri 18th, April 2008

Santander, Spain (Sports Network) - Real Madrid has struggled to rebound from last month's Champions League exit, going just 3-2-1 in Spain's La Liga since.

Real was eliminated by Italian club Roma in the Champions League, but with the two clubs on its heels in La Liga also struggling, has managed to open a nine- point cushion.

With six games remaining in the season, Real Madrid can take a big step toward securing a second straight crown when it visits surprising Racing on Sunday.

"We must be realistic and realize the only thing we can aspire to win is the League. We were eliminated from the Champions League, but winning the Spanish Championship again this year would have a lot of merit," Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos told the club's website.

"If we do, I guess we could say the season has been good, but not excellent."

After the Racing match, Madrid's final five games include four against teams below the top eight. That includes games against Real Zaragoza and Levante in the final two weeks of the season.

The only real test is against Barca in a few weeks, but Real Madrid could have the title locked up by then.

Racing, which is a surprising fifth after finishing 10th last season, hopes to keep the championship race open, even though it isn't in the running for the top spot.

Racing is just one point behind Atletico Madrid for fourth place and a spot in the Champions League. Fifth or sixth also secures a UEFA Cup spot.

Barcelona can put some pressure on Real on Saturday when its hosts Espanyol in the Barcelona derby.

"You can be in any situation in the league, but when a derby comes around that is all forgotten," Barca coach Frank Rijkaard said. "It is a game that creates added motivation and both teams will want to win.

"We will have to be completely focussed."

Villarreal, which hosts Real Valladolid on Sunday, is still trying to overtake Barcelona for second place. The Yellow Submarines are just one point behind in third.

In another big battle this week, sixth-place Sevilla and seventh-place Almeria clash with the last European berth on the line. Sevilla, which holds the last berth in the UEFA Cup, has a six-point edge on Almeria,

Also Saturday, Real Zaragoza hosts Recreativo in a battle of two clubs trying to avoid relegation, and Atletico Madrid hopes hold onto fourth when it hosts Real Betis.

On Sunday, Real Murcia will try to start a surge out of the bottom three when it hosts Mallorca, Osasuna hosts Deportivo, Athletic Bilbao hosts Valencia and Levante hosts Getafe.

Where the players come to play and STAY.