Sunday 21 February 2016 21:01, UK
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.
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.
"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.
"I am not thinking of the others, though, but about continuing to work towards our objectives no matter what happens."
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."
