Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has warned his players to maintain focus ahead of Thursday's match against Getafe, saying the league leaders will still have to fight until the end of the season to stave off the challenge of Barcelona.
Victory over Getafe would give Real a four-point cushion over champions Barca, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
That represented a third draw in six matches for Barca, while Real will be targeting a sixth consecutive victory since the Covid-19 hiatus when they host fifth-placed Getafe.
"It's my job to warn you you've won nothing yet. This is the harsh reality. The truth of the matter," Zidane, who guided Real to their last Liga title back in 2017, told a virtual news conference on Wednesday.
"The reality is we have 18 points left to fight for and you cannot say anything until you are champions mathematically ... Being on the right track is one thing, but we will have to repeat this until the end of the season."
He added: "I have been in this situation as a player before and I know we still haven't won anything. The players and I are not about to forget that."
Zidane has no injury concerns or suspensions for Thursday's match, though the recent performances of Eden Hazard will be a concern.
The former Chelsea forward has received rough treatment from opponents since returning from a serious ankle injury he sustained in February and was replaced midway through the second half of Sunday's 1-0 win away at Espanyol.
Zidane said he hoped players were not trying to target the Belgian.
"We know how good he is and so do our rivals. But I hope they are not trying to cause him damage. Our opponents play tough, but we have to be relaxed about that," he said.
"Eden has struggled because he has been away from the pitch for a long time and we have to be patient with him, but he'll be back to top form in no time at all."
