Soccer-Complacency is Real's biggest threat says Schuster

By Mark Elkington

MADRID, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Complacency is now Real Madrid's biggest threat in the Primera Liga title race, coach Bernd Schuster said.

The champions beat third-placed Villarreal 3-2 at the Bernabeu on Sunday to open up a nine-point lead, making the most of second-placed Barcelona's 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao.

"It's a large gap but it isn't decisive. At the moment our only rival is ourselves because if we relax we will quickly lose the advantage," Schuster said.

"We give the impression to our rivals that we are not going to trip up. Stretching the lead by two more points is another important step, but there are still plenty of games to play."

Real appear to be running away with the title after their eighth consecutive victory, during which time they have beaten their three closest challengers, Barca, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona continued to struggle for form in San Mames and failed to finish off 16th-placed Athletic Bilbao after taking a first-half lead through Bojan Krkic. Lilian Thuram's late own goal left them hanging on at the end.

"We are not giving up on anything," Barca coach Frank Rijkaard said. "The team fought hard and I am sure that if we continue to do so we will cut Real's lead."

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes added: "Today has been a step backwards but we have to keep going week by week and hope Real slip up." (Reporting by Mark Elkington, editing by Justin Palmer)