Agencies

Gerard Pique believes Barcelona lost to the ‘worst Real Madrid he has faced at the Bernabeu’ as the Blaugrana crashed to a 2-0 defeat in El Clasico on Sunday night.

With the score deadlocked without a goal at half-time, Pique revealed he was stunned at the low level of Real’s performance in the first period and was disappointed to not take advantage.

“Real Madrid in the first half was the worst Madrid I’ve faced at the Bernabeu,” Pique said in the mixed zone post-match.

“We missed a chance to hurt them. We have to play better than in second half, though, we lost balls and they grew in confidence.”

When asked if he was bothered by losing to this standard of Real team, Pique replied: “Yes, they were giving off the worst possible impression and I don’t say it as a criticism. We all have problems in our clubs. But I have the feeling that it’s an important missed opportunity [for Barcelona].”

Real now move one point ahead of Barcelona in the league standings - but Pique is adamant the title race is far from over.

“We still have a margin of improvement and it is enough for us to win La Liga if we do things well until the end of the season - but we have to do them well,” Pique said.

“Whenever you lose [at the Bernabeu], you get hurt. Because of the importance of the game, the points.”

Sergio Ramos was, however, quick to hit back at Pique’s criticism of Real Madrid, saying he would sign up to win every El Clasico playing as badly as the Barcelona defender suggested.

Madrid captain Ramos said he would happily win every Clasico playing how his side did. “Everyone’s opinion is respectable. I sign up to win all Clasicos by making a first half as bad as he says,” he told reporters, via AS.

“The approach was different. In the first half, we left the ball and in the second we decided to go. They were not so fresh and we started to generate chances.”

With 12 La Liga games remaining, Madrid hold a one-point lead over their rivals, having lost just two league matches this season.

While pleased with the advantage, Ramos urged his side to remain focused late in the campaign.

“That’s right. After the latest results we wanted to claim [first] and what better way than at home and ahead of a great team like Barca,” the defender said.

“It was a unique opportunity to depend on ourselves. There are three important points but there is much left.

“We must have our feet on the ground.”