Real Madrid's Luxemburgo happy to escape Valencia with point

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo fired a warning that he is still a force to be reckoned with but could not prevent his side dropping eight points behind Liga leaders Barcelona with a 1-1 draw at Valencia.

Ronaldo showed why he is such an important player as he latched onto a Guti pass after 27 minutes and skipped around Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares before side-footing home Madrid's equaliser.

Pablo Aimar had earlier given Valencia the lead.

Ronaldo had a quiet second half but nearly won the game for Madrid in injury time, forcing a brilliant one-on-one save from Canizares.

He also set up team-mate Albert Celades, who should have done better than blaze over the bar from eight yards out.

"We knew that we had a very difficult game. To win, to draw or to lose is possible at this stadium. The only bad result was to lose at home against Athletic," said Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

"The result is the one that is at the end of the ninety minutes and you can't talk of justice or injustice. That is what it already is. The important thing was not to lose."