Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has said his side must win Saturday's Clasico against Barcelona to keep the title race alive.
Defending champions Madrid, who return to domestic action after winning the Club World Cup, face a crucial clash with their rivals at the Bernabeu.
And Germany international Kroos told Bild: "The season is still long. We are 11 points and one match behind, but are still within striking distance.
"Yet to keep the title race open we had better win that match."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi renew their rivalry, with Ronaldo having won the 2017 Ballon d'Or to draw level with Messi's haul of five.
"Football subsists on rivalry. It pushes both teams and also both players," Kroos said. "This can only be good for us.
"You don't need to say much about Ronaldo and Messi. They are both one of a kind, extraordinary players and hard to compare. They are different types of players.
"Cristiano more than deserves the latest accolades. Especially in the Champions League, he again scored the crucial goals."