Isco: We feel sick to our stomachs

Real Madrid midfielder Isco admitted that his side's defeat to Athletic Bilbao gave them a bad feeling in their stomachs but insists they can regain control of La Liga by beating Barcelona in a fortnight. After being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal last weekend, Los Blancos suffered a 1-0 loss at Athletic on Saturday, meaning second- placed Barcelona can go top of the Primera Division by beating mid- table Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou on Sunday. Isco confessed after the game at San Mames that Madrid's players are struggling to explain their sudden slump in form but the attacking midfielder remains adamant that they can quickly turn things around. "We leave here with a bad feeling in our stomachs because this is now two straight games without a win and that is a real shame," the Spain international told reporters. "Lately we have been lacking a bit of freshness up front and that is not normal for Real Madrid, but it is a matter of phases. "Things aren't going that well now but that's certain to change. "The league is difficult but it is long and we'll go to Camp Nou in a couple of weeks with all the enthusiasm in the world. It is a decisive match. "The team is physically well, so that's not an excuse. Things are a little bad now but this happens from time to time. "Teams go up and down and changing the situation depends on the players. Our duty is to go back to the way we were playing before." Madrid face Schalke in the Champions League and Levante in La Liga before travelling to Catalunya on March 22 for their crunch clash with Barca. source: goal