Real should concentrate on finishing second says Ramos

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has recognised that his team have almost no chance of winning the league title and should concentrate instead on securing the runners-up spot behind Barcelona.

"First place is almost impossible now although we will keep fighting until it we are out of it mathematically," the 19-year-old told a news conference on Thursday.

"Being realistic the distance between us and Barcelona is pretty big and they are playing football that is great to watch ... Winning the league is is practically out of the question and for the moment we need to concentrate on finishing second."

Real dropped to third place in the table, 13 points behind Barcelona and one adrift of Osasuna, following their last-gasp 1-1 draw at Real Zaragoza on Wednesday.

With nine games left, including one against Barcelona at the Nou Camp next weekend, Real's chances of ending their three-year trophy drought are minimal.

"It is clear the team had to play better and each one of us has to give more of ourselves," said Ramos. "We have to give everything to regain second place and just hope Barca slip up.

"We can't let second spot escape us as we want to give our fans something to celebrate so that they can forget all that has happened and look to the future."

Real host fifth-placed Deportivo Coruna on Sunday. The Galicians beat Real at the Bernabeu last year and have the second best away record in the league this season.