Real challenge good for Barca, says Eto'o

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o said Real Madrid's impressive run to move into second place, just two points behind them with five games left, was a positive incentive in his side's push for a third consecutive league title.

"A great champion needs the teams chasing them to be strong. The fact that Real are doing well makes us even stronger," the Cameroon striker was quoted as saying in Spanish media.

"Others might prefer them to be nine points behind us, but not me. If we win this title, it will valued even more because it was so close."