Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini, defender Christoph Metzelder and goalkeeper Iker Casillas have all played down the importance of this Saturday's 'Clasico' with Barcelona, insisting it will not be the decisive night in the La Liga title race.
Pellegrini's team secured their 12th successive Primera Division victory on Sunday - 2-0 at Racing Santander - to ensure the will head into Saturday's 'Clasico' on top of the standings on goal difference from Barca with eight games remaining, but Metzelder believes Real's focus is not solely on the match at the Bernabeu.
"We had to win [against Santander] no matter what,'' Metzelder told Real's official website. "The fact that we didn't concede any goals and that we are leaders again is good news.
"Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are winning all their matches, so I am sure next week's game will be crucial. However, there are still other difficult matches to be played, meaning that Saturday's will not decide who wins La Liga.''
For the third successive round, Madrid had been provisionally knocked off the summit by second-placed Barca winning 24 hours previously, but the capital club responded again with a hard-fought victory over lowly Racing.
Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half penalty and Gonzalo Higuain's strike 14 minutes from time secured the points for the visitors at El Sardinero.
Pellegrini will take his side into next weekend's clash with Pep Guardiola's team at the Bernabeu in understandably confident mood, but has warned his players not to get careless.
"We need to do what we do on a daily basis in order to win next Saturday,'' Pellegrini said. "We cannot lose our identity. We will seek the victory and whoever makes the fewest mistakes will win.
"Both of us won our matches this weekend. We are up against a great opponent, but I am sure we will win if we focus and stick to our football.
"The Clasico is just another match that has to be played and it is followed by more matches. We cannot make any mistakes from here on out because we won't be facing any easy teams.''
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was delighted to shut out Racing and paid tribute to the men in front of him.
"Our defence was outstanding and we managed to keep a clean sheet. We did a good job,'' he said. "Saturday's Clasico is just another match on the calendar. It will be fun. I am shocked about how many points we both have. It's quite unusual.''
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