Alves calls for calm despite Real lead

Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by ESPN

Barcelona right-back Dani Alves believes there is no need to panic despite Real Madrid opening a six-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Real cruised to a 4-1 victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday, but Barcelona failed to keep up at the top of the table after stumbling to a 1-0 defeat to Getafe.

Nonetheless, Alves insists Real are running the risk of getting ahead of themselves if they think the title is now firmly in their grasps.

"Many would hand the league over to Real Madrid now and they are letting off fireworks," Alves said on Sunday.

"But the challenge is exciting and it fascinates us. And luckily for us there is still a long way to go."

Nonetheless, Alves has warned Barca that they will be in serious trouble if they lose the upcoming encounter between the two sides on December 10 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"A nine-point difference, if we lose at the Bernabeu, would be tremendous.

"There is no margin for error, but we will go there and compete as we know how."

Till then, Barca have encounters against Rayo Vallecano and Levante, and will know any further slip-ups could cost them dearly.