'It doesn't reflect what happened!' - Carlo Ancelotti defiantly claims Real Madrid didn't deserve to lose 4-0 to Barcelona in El Clasico but hints at 'psychological' problem

Four second-half goals from Barcelona secured Hansi Flick's side a stunning victory at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night. Despite the seemingly one-sided result - the visitors had 58.5% possession, 15 shots on goal to Madrid's nine, three more shots on target, and an expected-goals tally of 2.67 to 1.51 - manager Ancelotti felt the scoreline was harsh.

He said in a post-match press conference: "It doesn't reflect what happened on the pitch. We couldn't get ahead and they took the lead. The game, until the first goal, was very even and we had more chances. The formation was 4-4-2 and I think we did well in the first half."

Asked what problem he saw in his team, he replied: "On August 23, the team played without energy and today they did. The problem is that when you concede two goals, you take risks. It's normal. Taking risks against a team that is doing well is more dangerous than usual. If we had scored [to make it] 1-2, it would have changed. There are problems that we have to solve. Today we had intensity in the first half and we started well in the second. But the goal changes everything. It is also a psychological problem, not a tactical problem."

Ancelotti added: "I do not regret my gameplan. I have been in football for 48 years, so I'm not wrong when I tell you that the first half was good. It's different from the loss vs Lille. We were very bad that day. We competed today."

This was a statement win for Barca and a harrowing loss for Los Blancos. La Blaugrana emphatically ended Madrid's 42-game unbeaten run in La Liga and put them six points clear at the top of the table. Ancelotti mentioned there being a "psychological" problem in his team after this loss. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back from this humbling.

Top-of-the-table Barca are next in La Liga action next Sunday at home to Espanyol, whereas Madrid travel to Valencia a day prior. Both teams then return to the Champions League a few days later.