Pepe vows Real Madrid will battle back from eight-point deficit to challenge Barcelona

Real Madrid defender Pepe has vowed that his team will fight until the final game to try to retain their La Liga title.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Sevilla leaves Madrid eight points behind bitter rivals Barcelona after just four league matches.

Pepe told Canal+ that he expects Real to bounce back instantly against Manchester City in midweek.

The Portuguese centre-back said: "We will fight until the end, this is the motto of Real Madrid.

"Eight points is difficult, but the most important thing is to know that the group has worked hard.

"We have to fight to the end and now we have to think of City. I think we were always in control. Again, we suffered from goal-kicks, which hampered our work later."

Madrid begin their Champions League campaign with an enticing home match against Manchester City on Tuesday, in a group also featuring Borussia Dortmund and Ajax.