Real Madrid coach Luxemburgo: Liga race very alive

Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo says victory next week against Barcelona will make the championship "alive".

Barca's draw with Real Betis and Real's victory over Albacete has the Madrid giants now nine points behind the leaders and Luxemburgo said: "The important thing is that we beat Albacete. We did not play a technically good game, but we fought and fought for the result."

"If we beat Barca the difference will be smaller. In seven days we could cut the lead to just six points. If we do that, the championship will be very alive."

He added: "We watched Barca on television and that result was very important."