Bernd Schuster praised his Real Madrid side's response in the impressive 3-0 victory at home to Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Liga on Sunday.Madrid could have clinched their 31st Spanish crown with a win against Athletic at the Bernabeu, but second-placed Villarreal kept the title race alive for at least another week with Marcos Senna's stunning early goal earning a 1-0 win over Real Betis earlier in the evening.
Villarreal's win in Seville could have led to a flat atmosphere at an expectant Bernabeu and also affected Madrid's performance, but the reigning champions were in fine form in front of buoyant crowd and secured a comfortable win with goals from Javier Saviola, Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain.
"It wasn't one of the best games of the season, but it has been a good game," said Schuster.
"The atmosphere was perfect, and for me, the most important thing was our ability to respond to quite a difficult situation. We knew that we could be champions but it was dangerous 10 minutes before the start of the game to find out the Villarreal result and that we couldn't be champions.
"It could have been a setback but I think the team have reacted very well from the start."
Schuster felt the stage was set up for Madrid to clinch the league on Sunday night, but admits the key was they did not allow Villarreal to narrow the gap.
"I would have liked to celebrate the title tonight, because everything was perfect," he added.
"The public had high hopes, as did we. It is a pity because it was the perfect day, and that has been reflected in the result and in the public.
"But it was important to win the game to keep things in our hands and we do not have to hope for any other result. Everything depends on us."
Next up for Madrid, who hold a 10-point lead with four games remaining, is a trip to relegation-threatened Osasuna next weekend, a game Schuster concedes is not going to be straightforward.
"Osasuna's ground has not been easy historically for Real Madrid, but right now I am not concerned about this, because what we want is to be champions as soon as possible," he said.
"We depend only on ourselves and if we win it in Pamplona, we will be delighted.
"My preference was to win it at home - today was the perfect day, but it was not to be and we are going to try to do it in the following game.
"If we can win it in Pamplona then better, although we know that it is not going to be easy due to the situation that Osasuna are going through, with them needing the points. It will be quite tough."
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