Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted his players were ‘sad and hurting’ after a damaging El Clasico defeat to Barcelona.

The defeat put Los Blancos 12 points behind Barcelona in the race for the title this season despite the champions’ impressive display on the night.

The Italian noted that Barcelona have been more consistent in winning matches this season while explaining why Real Madrid find themselves so far behind in the title race.

It’s simple, they’ve been more consistent than us this season.

“We’re sad and hurting, but we’re proud of the performance,” Ancelotti told reporters after the game.

He said Los Blancos, who had their second goal of the night disallowed after a lengthy VAR review, are now back to their normal way of playing football, insisting, “we don’t think we deserved to lose today.

Our January let us down a lot, just after the World Cup. Now, we’re doing well and I think we’ll finish the season well.”

Ancelotti’s hope of ending the season well could be in the Champions League, where they have made it to the quarter-finals.

In the draws conducted on Friday, Real Madrid would face Chelsea in the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition.