Real Madrid midfielder Gago believes his team are ready for the battle as they aim to get back in the race.

The defending champions begin 2009 with a home match against Villarreal on Sunday and 12 points to make up on runaway leaders Barcelona.

As long as we are mathematically still alive I will not throw in the towel. Similar to when I arrived two years ago, there is a substantial lead to overcome, but we ended up winning the league," he told www.realmadrid.com.

Inconsistency proved Madrid's greatest enemy in the first part of the campaign with just two wins in their last five matches leaving them fifth in the standings.

But Gago is ready to come out fighting following the Christmas break.

"Football can change very quickly. Barcelona are doing well now, but they can slip up."