The performance of Real Madrid last night against Barcelona looks very strange to me but at the end of the game I read in papers where some of the players confirmed that they played as if they were playing finals and that was the instruction of their coach.
Real Madrid team and management know that they have not been very good this season as it is obvious from their La Liga games, they know that they have lost any chances of winning the La Liga, their best chances to win something is the champions league and the Copa del Rey. Every game is a preparation for the other game, and with this win, the confidence of the players and Benzena who scored a Hat trick will be up in readiness for their important champions league game and in their next game in the Copa del Rey.
At least for now they can still get the Copa del Rey for the domestic league because in the final they will face Osasuna but for La Liga I agree with what you say, because they are forcing this it will be very difficult especially with the points in the gap with Barcelona which is too far so it is clear that this will probably be released.
The Copa del Rey can be their solace and of course the focus remains on the Champions League.