Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that the Spanish outfit can overturn their five-point deficit in La Liga.
Los Blancos currently sit five points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Spain's top division, but Ancelotti is confident that 2014 will be "very good" for the capital outfit.
"I am pleased with this first part of the season and I have high hopes for 2014. The team keeps fighting, working hard and has a lot of quality," he told reporters at a press conference.
"We have lost some points whilst looking to play the way we wanted. I think 2014 may be very good for Real Madrid. Five points aren't insignificant. This match was very important and we had a lot of pressure on us. We started this match eight points behind and it is not easy.
"At this point the table is clear. Barcelona and Atletico are doing very well. They have five points more than us and are the favourites right now, but I have high hopes for the second half of the season."
Madrid return to league action at the beginning of January.