Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said Sunday's 4-0 win over Sevilla has put his side in good position for their next match at Barcelona.
Following the international break, Real Madrid will return to face Barcelona at the Camp Nou on April 2.
"It's a significant game because it's a special match. We have to continue improving. It's better to go into it on the back of a win," Zidane said.
"We've shown a lot with tonight's performance. We know that we're ready. It'll be a great game between two great sides."
Barcelona enjoy a 10-point lead over Real Madrid with eight games remaining. With the title likely out of reach, Zidane has set a more moderate goal of catching local rivals Atletico, who are only a point better than Real in second place.
"The objective is to overtake Atletico and move into second place," Zidane said. "That's the challenge we face. We need to continue picking up points and prepare for what's coming up. That's the best way to confront the game to come."
On Sunday, Real found goals through their big three attacking stars -- Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale -- as well as a late fourth from Jese Rodriguez.
"I'm very pleased with the game we put in -- from start to finish," Zidane said. "Before tonight's match I said that the work we put in this week was the best we've ever done and this is the fruit of all of that work. I'm happy. This is one of the best performances we've had since I arrived in the job.
"We've put in some good games at the Bernabeu and this is one more. I don't know if it was the best but I'm happy with how it went."
Zidane also singled out Karim Benzema for praise, a day after warning the 28-year-old to focus on football after being left out of the France squad.
"He played well, like the whole team -- but Karim in particular; he helped us a lot with his goal," Zidane said. "We spoke beforehand about getting an early goal which could tone the match down a little... He also withstood the physical demands of the game.
"It's only one game and we have to continue but it promises a lot."