Sergio Ramos wins for Madrid again

Madrid now have 62 points from 26 games, two points ahead of Barcelona, who had played 27 games and five points ahead of Sevilla, also with 27 games.

Ruben Castro was the main source of Los Blancos’ troubles in defence and enjoyed his own share of possession in the game’s earlier exchanges, but it was Brasanac’s run that first drew attention to nervous Navas.

It seems that after a period of strife and failure, Real Madrid is back to its winning ways. They still possess a valuable game in hand, and will expect to keep pace with Barca by beating Real Betis on Sunday. Zidane’s wards on Tuesday registered their participation in the Champions League quarter-finals, beating Italy’s Napoli 6-2 by a total of two 3: 1 and 3: 1 meetings. They were pressuring very high and creating some problems to Real Madrid.

But they could level the game before the half time thanks to a header by Cristiano Ronaldo after an assist from Marcelo.

Out of the possible 12 points in their last four matches, Real Madrid have only collected seven points. The Italians scored early with Dries Mertens, 29, netting a goal at the 24th minute.

Real centre-backs Sergio Ramos, 30, and Pepe, 34, have uncertain futures at the Bernabeu.

Bale told the Daily Mail why he thinks Premier League clubs are struggling in the Champions League.

“We know that the Bernabeu is a hard stadium, the level of demands is infinite”, he said.

The player, who was sidelined due to a calf injury in December, made his return to the Real Madrid side in February after having missed first team action for 47 days.

As a result, Keylor Navas – the man who was to be used as a makeweight in a deal for De Gea – remained as the first choice between the sticks at the Bernabeu. We’ve managed to do that so far and we’ve got to focus on carrying it on and doing a good job. “But that does not make us defend badly”. Betis defended well, they left little space and that meant we were against the clock. “There are many positive things and other things we can improve”.

Real have blown their LaLiga lead since the New Year.