Sharjah24 – AFP: Real Madrid stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points on Saturday with a slick 2-0 win over Real Sociedad but the victory was tarnished by an injury to Karim Benzema.
Carlo Ancelotti said Benzema is likely now to miss Tuesday's Champions League game at home to Inter Milan although was hopeful the striker could return to face Atletico Madrid next weekend.
Madrid's eighth consecutive win proved even more valuable after both Atletico and Barcelona lost, with Atleti undone by Mallorca and Barca succumbing to the impressive Real Betis for their first defeat under Xavi Hernandez.
Barcelona stay seventh, now a hefty 16 points behind Real Madrid, while Atletico drop to fourth, six points in front of Barca, but 10 points off the top.
"We have an advantage but the league is still open," said Ancelotti. "We can't think now about winning La Liga, I don't want anyone to think like this."
Barcelona and Atletico will now have to pick themselves up ahead of crunch Champions League group games in midweek.
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