The Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has said that his teammates should step up to the plate if they are to overturn the huge deficit over Barcelona in the Spanish la Liga. Real Madrid have been extremely poor in the league this season, as they have fallen eight points behind their archrivals Barcelona in the table.

Their lead season took another turn for the worst after they were defeated 1-0 by Real Beltis during the weekend. Benat scored in the 17th minute to give the home team a surprise lead in the match. They managed to hold on to a victory that would send Real Madrid to the third defeat of the season.

This coupled with the win for Barcelona meant that they are level on points behind the leaders with just 13 games played in the season. Even though there are a lot of them still remaining in the season, there is little hope that Real Madrid will now be able to catch Barcelona even with one El Clasico match remaining in the season. Iker Casillas said after the match that this was two steps back for Real Madrid in the title race. He has said that the players are extremely angry with themselves, but they need to transfer that anger onto the pitch.

“It was a blow and we have taken two steps back in the title race. Jose Mourinho has a temper and sometimes you have to feel more protected by your players. We need to shut up and show that we are angry on the pitch. Everything has an influence, such as fatigue, and the fact Betis were thrashed [in a recent 5-1 defeat] by Sevilla. Also, the referee did not make the right decision at times,” said Casillas. Madrid have been able to win only two of the last five matches in all competitions.