The Sevilla victory was the match that Real Madrid needed

The Real Madrid players left the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday preaching messages of optimism, hope and caution.

Those statements were led by goalscorers Casemiro and Luka Modric.

"We don't have to think about Barcelona or the LaLiga Santander table, but should go game by game and look to add another three points and see where it takes us," was the message.

After a first half of the season filled with potholes and disappointment, Real Madrid's players are betting on being more cautious and taking it one game at a time.

Apart from the game against Leganes, which was conditioned to a large degree by Los Blancos' 3-0 first leg win, they have won games late on to start 2019 and have risen to third place in the table.

Being 10 points behind leaders Barcelona, another setback would have been a debacle, but Real Madrid closed out two dangerous duels against the city of Seville's teams by picking up six points.

"I hope that this hasn't been a slight bloom and hope it will prove to be a turning point," Modric said afterwards.

"Little by little, the team is getting better and is determined to go further."

Real Madrid may have won the three points against Real Betis with an exercise in fight and sacrifice, but they overcame Sevilla thanks to some good football.

"We're very happy with the performance we put in and showed that, with the work we put in during the week, we can do things very well," Casemiro added.

"We have given the fans joy and something to cheer about.

"For us, in our situation, that's fundamental."

Real Madrid's players, aware of their limitations collectively and individually this season, now have a clear road map to reach the end of the year with chances to pick up a trophy.

"We have to be a team, be together and give the maximum in each game and not think about our opponents," were the words from Real's midfielders after the win over Sevilla.

"What we will do is take it one game at a time and give everything in each match to end it with a win."

Santiago Solari was also particularly happy with these last two results in LaLiga Santander because the team played well and deserved their victories.

There is also added good news for the Real Madrid boss because he will welcome key players back from injury in the coming weeks.

For the Copa del Rey tie against Girona, he hopes to have Toni Kroos and Marcos Llorente, while he expects to be able to rely on Marco Asensio against Espanyol, with Mariano also potentially set to make his comeback.

It is still unknown when Gareth Bale will make his return, but the Welshman is already working out on the training pitches and is unlikely to be delayed too much in his return to action.

With two key wins behind them and players set to make their return, it all represents good news for Los Blancos.