Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed "star" Cristiano Ronaldo's latest hat trick while admitting his team had "suffered" to win Saturday evening's 3-2 thriller at Sevilla and remain on Barcelona's toes in the title race.
Ronaldo's expertly taken hat trick included two headers and a poacher's finish from close range, and was just about enough against a Sevilla side which kept in the game right to the final whistle through Carlos Bacca's penalty and Vicente Iborra's goal.
With only three games now to play, Madrid remain two points behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings, after their rivals hammered Cordoba 8-0 earlier on Saturday.
Ancelotti said in his post-game news conference at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan that it had not been an easy against a very solid and intense team, but Ronaldo's individual contribution had won the game in the end.
"Cristiano was the star in a team which suffered a lot," Ancelotti said. "We played well, it was a very complete game from both teams. We played a very solid team, with fans pushing them all the game. It was not easy to win here, but we did it. We are very happy, and keep fighting after a game against Sevilla. It is not a coincidence they had not lost in 34 games [at home]."
Ancelotti said the result was important to keep the pressure on Barca, and also to keep Madrid's confidence high ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first leg at Juventus.
"This is a very important win as it keeps us fighting for La Liga," he said. "It will give us confidence for Tuesday's game, for the way we played. I am very satisfied."
Luis Enrique's side's thrashing of doomed-to-relegation Cordoba had not taken away any of Madrid's hope they could take advantage of a slip by the leaders at some point.
"Hope is the last thing that dies," Ancelotti said. "We must wait until the end, and do what we can, which is win our last three games. Barcelona are a great team. They are very efficient up front. It was normal, I was not surprised they scored so many goals. As I said after winning 9-1 [against Granada last month], it is better to win eight games 1-0, than one game 8-0. "
This was Sevilla's first defeat in over 14 months in front of their own fans, who left cursing that Ronaldo's first two goals had come while home midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak had spent eight full minutes off the pitch receiving medical attention.
"I do not believe that Emery gave us a gift," Ancelotti said. "He put out a team which played very well, battled well, very intensity. They were left with 10 for a while but it was not gift from him, just the opposite. He put out a very solid team."
Gareth Bale returned from a two-week injury absence and played the final half-hour, with the Wales international setting up Ronaldo's third goal with a fine cross.
Ancelotti said Bale should now be fine to play against Juventus, while he was also hopeful of having Karim Benzema back from his knee problem for Tuesday night.
"Bale played 30 minutes today, did well, without any problem," he said. "We hope we can also get Karim back with us. We will see over the next two days. Tomorrow we will see if he can train with the team."
After centre-back Sergio Ramos was again fielded as a makeshift midfielder in a big game, the Italian coach said the Spain international's versatility was currently proving very useful for his team.
"[Ramos] is not used to playing in this position, but he has so much experience, personality and quality that he can play in any position," Ancelotti said. "We must highlight what he does for the team. In other types of games he will play at the back. But he does what the team needs."