Luxemburgo calls for more improvement from Real

New Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo believes his side still have much work to do before launching a serious Primera Liga title challenge despite closing the gap on leaders Barcelona at the weekend.

Luxemburgo completed a perfect first week in charge with a 3-0 away win at city rivals Atletico to move within seven points of Barcelona on Sunday.

The Brazilian had a memorable start on Wednesday when Real snatched victory in the remaining seven minutes of their held-over match against Real Sociedad.

"It was a good result for us," he said after the game at the Calderon. "We had three chances and we scored three goals but I'm not so happy with the way we played."

"We have to improve and be more compact as a team and that will only come by working even harder in training."

Real were on the ropes for most of the game against Atletico but a combination of wasteful finishing from their strikers and some outstanding goalkeeping from Iker Casillas prevented the home side from getting the goals they deserved.

Ronaldo then gave Atletico a harsh lesson in how to finish when he scored with his only two chances of the game and former player Santiago Solari compounded their misery by weighing in with another goal.

Casillas, who produced a succession of brilliant stops to frustrate Atletico strikers Fernando Torres and Salva Ballesta, said the result had flattered his team.

"It didn't reflect what happened on the pitch -- that was plain for everyone to see. We couldn't have complained if they had won the game 6-3. We rarely had control of the ball but we were well organised and very effective."

Atletico coach Cesar Ferrando agreed. "Football is an ungrateful sport and didn't reward the best side on the night," he said.

"They had three shots and they all went in but that's what happens when you have so much quality in your side."

"They have got millions to spend and with that sort of money you can buy quality and goals."

While Real hit the mark against Atletico, leaders Barcelona slumped to only their second defeat of the season when they fell to a Juan Roman Riquelme-inspired Villarreal.

The Argentine, who is on loan from Barcelona, bossed the midfield and set up two of his side's goals in their 3-0 victory at El Madrigal.

"Villarreal fully deserved to win and Riquelme had a great game," said Barca coach Frank Rijkaard.

"They gave us a lesson in aggression and competitiveness. It wasn't a good way to start the year but maybe it will act as a wake-up call to us."

With one match to go before the halfway point in the season, Barca are seven points clear of Real Madrid and last season's champions Valencia, who beat neighbours Levante 2-1 on Saturday.