Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale has insisted that Los Blancos must focus on next weekend's clash with Malaga rather than look ahead to the match with Barcelona.

Madrid's 3-0 win over Levante on Sunday moved them three points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid in La Liga and four clear of third-place Barcelona.

However, the Welshman has warned his side not to look ahead to El Clasico at the Bernabeu on March 23.

"It was a very important game because we saw [Barcelona's defeat to Real Valladolid] and that gave us motivation," Bale told Real Madrid's official television channel.

"This is a good position to be in. We have to keep what we have done and keep going like we have been doing. There are lots of difficult games left.

"We cannot think about the Clasico, we must go from game to game. That's what we have done up to now, and we must continue like that."

Madrid will contest the final of the Copa del Rey against Barcelona next month.