Real Madrid vs Espanyol Preview - Ronaldo won't give up on title

Posted Sunday, February 13, 2011 by PA

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Real Madrid can still win the Primera Division title this season, despite trailing Barcelona by seven points after 22 rounds of matches.

Madrid have been competitive on all fronts since the arrival of Jose Mourinho as coach in the summer but have found it impossible to stay in touch with a Barca outfit that has dropped just five points all season.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo is not giving up hope of catching the Catalans.

"We cannot think the league is lost," he told Antena 3.

"It's difficult, but it's possible. It's a very competitive tournament and we drew with the (then) bottom club (Almeria)."

Madrid and Barca will also go head to head in the final of the Copa del Rey in April and Ronaldo insists his team can come out on top in that encounter.

"Barca are very strong, but Madrid are also strong and we will see who is better in the final," he said.

"We have to go out on the pitch thinking we are going to win. If we don't think that, it would be better to stay at home."

Ronaldo has been on fine form this term, netting 24 league goals so far.

That total leaves the Portugal star level with Barca's Lionel Messi and both threaten to break Hugo Sanchez's record of 38 league goals in a single season.

Ronaldo, in his second year at Madrid following his move from Manchester United, says he is happy in his surroundings.

"I feel very happy in Spain," he said.

"I like the people, the football and the club I am at."

However, the 26-year-old is roundly jeered in every away ground he plays at and admits that has been hard to accept.

"It's quite difficult," he said.

"When we play away, the people waiting for the team applaud me and I feel a lot of affection, but on the pitch it's totally different."

Ronaldo is likely to receive more of that treatment as Madrid visit Espanyol in the Primera Division.

Espanyol have won all but two of their league games at Cornella this season - losing the others to Barcelona and Villarreal - but Madrid defender Raul Albiol says his side must take all three points.

"A slip-up at Espanyol would mean practically saying goodbye to the league title," he said.

Pepe could return for Madrid, while Ricardo Carvalho is doubtful and Gonzalo Higuain remains sidelined with a long-term injury.

Espanyol have injury problems of their own, with Ivan de la Pena, Felipe Mattioni, David Garcia and Dani Osvaldo all missing.

The Barcelona-based side have been a revelation this season but dropped to sixth place after last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Almeria.

That was the club's second successive defeat, but midfielder Javi Marquez says Espanyol are relishing tomorrow's clash with Madrid.

"A game against Real Madrid is more than just three points," he said.

"It's a special match."

And Marquez believes stopping Ronaldo is key to his side's hopes.

"Cristiano is so important for Madrid," he said.

"To stop him, you need to be very attentive and hope he has a bad day."

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