Saved by the Champions League

Real Madrid has one life-line left. With Barcelona eleven points ahead of them after thirteen games and Atlético ahead by eight, Real Madrid is holding on to a life-line that could either make this season a success, or deflate and sink, taking the team's hopes of silverware with it.
There is however reason for optimism. Real Madrid won the Champions League in the 1998, 2000 and 2002 seasons, after unsuccessful league campaigns.
After 13 games in the 1997/98 season, Real Madrid was tied on 28 points with the team that went on to win the league, Barcelona. As the season progressed, Heynckes' team focused on winning the Champions League, leaving the league to one side. Madrid finished fourth, eleven points behind Barcelona. But they won the club's seventh Champions League title.
Mourinho is going through something similar to Del Bosque in the 1999/00 season. In gameweek 13 they were 11 points adrift of Deportivo, who went on to win the league that year. They finished fifth and without a place in the Champions League.
But once again, Madrid was saved by the Champions League. They thrashed Valencia in the final in Paris, lifted the club’s eighth title and the fans were happy.
History repeated itself in 2002. Valencia was unplayable from the start of the league campaign and Real finished third. Zidane shined in Glasgow and title number nine returned home to Madrid.