Real Madrid vs Real Betis - Keylor Navas eyeing first LaLiga title with Real Madrid

Posted Saturday, March 11, 2017 by PA

The lure of a first LaLiga title is keeping Keylor Navas focused between now and the end of the season.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper has never won the trophy but, with his side a point behind Barcelona with a game in hand as the season enters its final throes, has a real chance to do so.

Madrid host Real Betis on Sunday having secured their place in the last eight of the Champions League in midweek.

A league and European double remains on the table as a result and Navas is readying himself for a crucial period.

"I prefer to use the term 'double' if we win the two titles," Navas, who has won the European Cup with Real, told Marca.

"Until then, I prefer not to talk about it. We play to win, no matter what competition we are in.

"It makes me especially excited to win LaLiga because it's a title I still do not have.

"Although things have been complicated in the last few weeks, we will fight for it until the end."

The complications Navas speaks of are a defeat to Valencia and a draw with Las Palmas that have allowed Barcelona to regain the lead in the title race.

The fitness of striker Alvaro Morata could provide another problem, given he limped out of training with a leg injury, although manager Zinedine Zidane expects him to be fine.

A home clash against 14th-placed Betis should be meat and drink for Real, although their opponents have shown they are more than capable of mixing it with the big boys.

Victor Sanchez's men drew 1-1 at home to Barcelona earlier in the season and the manager thinks a fearless attitude helps his side.

"Some people might be scared to take on one of the biggest teams in football history," he told ESPN.

"There are others who see it as an opportunity to do something that people will talk about, give you prestige and fame and a lot of satisfaction.

"We feel we can go there and win. As a player I took on Real Madrid in the Bernabeu and got good results. The players see this as an opportunity to do something big."

Madrid have fallen behind in five of their last seven games and Sanchez added: "We have analysed our opponents' games, to see how they suffer and get advantages.

"We've analysed our attacking strengths relative to their defensive weaknesses. And also how to minimise Madrid's great attacking virtues. That is what, in the end, gives the player confidence that he can go out and play the game."