Iniesta: We can still pip Real to title

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta believes his side can still catch Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title.

Real briefly extended their lead at the top of the table to nine points on Saturday after a 5-1 win over Osasuna, although they were immediately pegged back by Barca, who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 later on in the day.

And Iniesta, who scored the opening goal against Bilbao, sees no reason why the defending champions can't overtake their bitter rivals by the end of the season.

"We needed to win the three points today [Saturday]," Iniesta said on the club's official website. "That's what's really important.

"If we keep on winning all three points each week, we'll have a chance to win the title at the end of the season."

The Spain international also paid credit to Bilbao, who put in a commendable performance despite having played their last game against Schalke in the Europa League just 48 hours earlier.

"The game was very demanding," Iniesta added. "I think the team played a very good match.

"Athletic forced all of our players, from the keeper to the last player, to play well. We played a fantastic match.

"They [Bilbao] didn't create a lot of goalscoring chances, but they demanded a lot of us.

"We have to give value to this victory, because if you lower the intensity at any moment against Athletic, they roll right over you."

Barca now turn their attention on Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against AC Milan, and Iniesta knows the fans will be expecting nothing less than victory at the Nou Camp.

"We have to win, that's the reality," Iniesta explained.

"At home with our fans, we have to get to the next round and we must go into the match with confidence.

"We'll see 90 thrilling minutes."

Following the game against Milan, Barca return to La Liga action next Saturday when they travel to Real Zaragoza.