Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster believes his side's shock defeat to Almeria proves the Primera Liga title is not a foregone conclusion.Leaders Real went into Saturday's clash at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos on the back of an eight-game winning streak in La Liga and with a nine-point advantage over second-placed Barcelona.

However, the reigning champions slumped to only their third defeat of the season following goals by Juanito and former Real reserve player Alvaro Negredo for Almeria.

"It is never good to lose, but if you had to do it I would have said that this reverse comes at a good time. In this sense I am calm," said Schuster.

"This loss shows that we cannot take our foot off the pedal, and that the league is not won.

"The other day I heard someone say that the league was very bad. They were wrong - it is the most competitive league. We never thought the competition was won."

Despite taking a pragmatic approach to the setback, Schuster still felt his side could have got more out of the game and bemoaned a lack of killer instinct in front of goal.

"We had several opportunities, but we could not finish them. Also, their goalkeeper was very good, and if you don't take advantage of your chances it is very difficult to win a game," he added.

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