Raphael Varane has urged his Real Madrid teammates to maintain the belief that they can pip Barcelona to La Liga glory this season.

The Catalans' 4-0 win over Almeria last night briefly opened up a seven-point gap over the Blancos and gave Carlo Ancelotti's side extra pressure in their trip to Rayo Vallecano.

However, the reigning European champions rose to the occasion as second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo - his 300th for the club - and James Rodriguez restored the four-point deficit.

"It's vital that we don't drop any points. We must press ahead and keep thinking we can win the title," he told reporters.

"We must go on, there are eight major games [in the league] left and we need the whole team [to chip in]."

Ancelotti's side host Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.