Malaga 1-1 Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane not giving up on La Liga title just yet

By Pete Hall

Image: Zinedine Zidane is determined to chase Barcelona

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane won't give up on hopes of winning the La Liga title, despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Malaga, which left them nine points behind Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Madrid the lead in the first half on Sunday by heading home Toni Kroos' free-kick, but was fortunate the goal was allowed to stand as he was in an offside position.

The Portuguese then had a penalty saved by Carlos Kameni barely a minute later and Malaga defender Raul Albentosa punished Madrid after the break by smashing in the equaliser.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first away league goal for five games from an offside position before missing the chance to double his tally from the penalty

The result was a blow to Madrid's hopes of overhauling arch-rivals Barcelona, but Zidane is not ready to admit defeat just yet.

"It is obviously going to be difficult because we have dropped two points, but we won't give up," Zidane told a press conference.

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"There are 39 points still to play for. You may think the league is over, but the players and myself don't believe that. There are plenty of points up for grabs and the others can lose too.

Image: Ronaldo endured a frustrating afternoon at Malaga

"I am not thinking of the others, though, but about continuing to work towards our objectives no matter what happens."

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Zidane refuted suggestions Madrid under-performed at La Rosaleda, pointing out his side spurned chances to increase their lead.

"I don't think we didn't play well. We have problems with second balls, but we could have killed the game before," Zidane added. "In the end, we could even have lost, so maybe we have even won a point."

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