Real Barcelona for Madrid derby

In this photo shared on Twitter, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo at a practice session on Friday, the eve of their Spanish League match against Atletico Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo insists Real Madrid can still catch La Liga leaders Barcelona if they can overcome their hoodoo against local rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Real trail Atletico by a point and are nine adrift of Barca with just 13 games remaining, but can move up to second place should they beat Diego Simeone’s men for the first time in six league games.

“It is a game we need to win,” Ronaldo told Madrid’s website.

“It is an important game at home, in front of our fans and against a very strong team that defends well.

“We know that (winning) La Liga will be difficult, but we need to fight until the end. Football is box full of surprises and anything can happen.”

Real are expected to once again be without Gareth Bale as the calf injury that was initially expected to keep the Welsh star out for three weeks in mid-January drags on.

Karim Benzema is likely to return having missed the 1-1 draw at Malaga last weekend, whilst James Rodriguez could start after being left on the bench by Zinedine Zidane at La Rosaleda.

Zidane’s record at the Bernabeu since taking over has been impeccable with four wins and 20 goals from four games.

However, Atletico’s rock-solid defence will pose a much more difficult obstacle to break down.

Simeone’s men recorded their 24th clean sheet in 38 games this season in a 0-0 draw at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek.