Real Madrid still upbeat despite slide in form

By Simon Baskett

MADRID (Reuters) - Real are confident they can halt their slide in form and ward off a renewed title challenge from Barcelona, despite slumping to their fifth league defeat in eight games on Sunday.

The Spanish champions lost 3-2 to Valencia at the Bernabeu, with Angel Arizmendi getting an 89th minute winner against the run of play after Real had laid siege to the Valencia goal in the final stages.

"We aren't running out of gas. We played well, but we just couldn't get a result," centre back Pepe told reporters. "We have to keep fighting because there is a long way to go yet."

Sporting director Predrag Mijatovic agreed with the defender.

"It was a shame because we played a great game and had lots of chances, but the ball just didn't want to go in... We still have a four-point advantage over Barcelona and we still depend on ourselves."

"We have to play with more assurance and calmness and can't afford to make the sort of mistakes we made out there," said Pepe. "We will have to work hard to correct these errors."

Barcelona, who had gone through a shaky period having taken just one point from their previous three matches, ensured they remained in the frame with a 4-1 win at home to Valladolid.

Second in the standings, they now have 58 points to Real's 62 with nine matches left to play.