A victory over Barcelona in the Clasico on Saturday could re-ignite Real Madrid's title campaign, former Blancos president Ramon Calderon has said.
Real Madrid are currently 10 points behind leaders Barcelona with Atletico Madrid in between the two clubs.
"Barca go in with an advantage, but you can't lose sight of Madrid, who always come in with courage and heart in these types of matches," Calderon told reporters on Thursday. "If we win, there is competition again in La Liga -- although the Barcelona of before are not the Barcelona of now."
Calderon, Madrid president between 2006 and 2009, was referring to the Catalan club's Barcelona's solid 4-0 victory in their first Clasico meeting back in November as well as the 2012-13 season, in which Barcelona were up by 14 points in the table but lost to Real Madrid, 2-1.
Calderon also reiterated his belief that Jose Mourinho will take over as Real Madrid boss should newly appointed manager Zinedine Zidane fail to turn the club around this season.
"If Manchester United don't sign Mourinho, he will be the next manager at Madrid. I am sure of that. If they don't win anything [this season], the sad truth is that we will see him again on the bench."