Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has played down's his side's seven-point advantage at the top of the Primera Division, insisting there is still a long way to go in the title race.
While leaders Barça equalled a La Liga record of 15 successive victories with a 3-0 triumph over Hercules this weekend, Real slumped to only their second league loss of the campaign after going down 1-0 at lowly Osasuna to slip further off the pace.
Barça also look certain to have the better head-to-head record against Real should the pair finish level on points after beating Jose Mourinho's men 5-0 at the Camp Nou.
It could have been a decisive weekend in the title fight, but Abidal is not getting carried away. He said: "Seven points is a very small difference because a defeat can arrive when you least expect it.
There are 17 games left and those are a lot of points, we'll see where we are and where they are in another ten or 11 games.
Eric Abidal, Barcelona defender
"If we lose two games then they will be back right behind us again and we know they aren't going to drop many more points. There are 17 games left and those are a lot of points, we'll see where we are and where they are in another ten or 11 games. We have to continue the way we have been doing and not slip up."
The France full-back also knows an upset like the one Real suffered in Pamplona can happen at any time. Barça were victims of arguably the biggest shock this season when they were beaten 2-0 at the Camp Nou by promoted Hercules earlier in the campaign.
"Real Madrid's loss in Pamplona must serve as a warning to us," Abidal said. "When the other teams play against Madrid or Barça they try to give everything to win, because a victory for them is very important."
Midfielder Andres Iniesta is in doubt for the club's Spanish Cup clash with Almeria on Wednesday after he sprained his back during a weekend league match, the club said today.
The 26-year-old Spanish international picked up the injury during the win over Hercules after a tackle from defender David Cortes. He was treated with ice packs on the bench after he came off the pitch.
"He will be kept under observation to determine his availability for Wednesday's game against Almeria," the club said in a statement.