Schuster plays down title talk

Real Madrid CF coach Bernd Schuster insisted it was too early to talk of the title despite seeing his side go into the winter break with a seven-point lead over second-placed FC Barcelona after defeating the Catalan club 1-0 at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Baptista winner
Julio Baptista scored the only goal on 36 minutes as Madrid became the first side to win at Camp Nou in the league since their neighbours Atlético de Madrid triumphed there on 5 February 2006. Not since a goalless draw against RCD Espanyol on 1 March 2005 have Barça failed to score at home in the Primera División. Schuster, though, played down the significance of the result.

'Great position'
"I take things one step at a time," he said. "We are achieving our goals, playing in a style that allows us to win matches. We are in a great position right now, but titles are won at the end of the campaign. My team worked well, but I wouldn't say it was an easy win. We kept them away from our goal which is what we intended and that Barcelona were kept from scoring at home says everything."

'Unforgettable'
Baptista fired high into the top corner after a superb one-two with Ruud van Nistelrooy to seal Madrid's fourth league win in succession. "That was naturally one of the most important goals of my life and I will never forget it," he said. "I'm very satisfied with it and with the victory, but we haven't won anything yet. We have to continue fighting hard in every game to be at the very top in all three competitions. It is symbolic and beautiful to be winter champions, but there is still a long way to go in the league."

'Everything is possible'
Barça midfielder Xavi Hernández pointed out that "seven points is a lot at this stage of the competition but we have to carry on working. Madrid closed up at the back and played comfortably on the counter-attack." Barça coach Frank Rijkaard added that defeat was "tough to accept". "It wasn't Barcelona's night and their goal hurt and changed the rhythm of the game," he said. "It's tough to accept but we have to look forwards. Despite Madrid playing well, we never lost hope. There are still a lot of matches ahead and although Madrid is in the lead, everything is possible." Barcelona resume their league campaign away to RCD Mallorca on 6 January when Madrid host Real Zaragoza.