Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Carlo Ancelotti and Luis Enrique Post-Match Reaction

Luis Enrique defended his decision to start Luis Suarez is Barcelona's 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in Saturday, the team's first La Liga loss of the season.

As shared by Barcastuff, he told reporters he felt the Uruguayan deserved to start and exceeded his expectations:

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Luis Enrique: "I don't regret letting Suarez start. He's with the squad from the start, he did well, better than I expected." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2014"

Suarez had a solid outing but showed his lack of form at times, not having played a competitive top-level match since the 2014 World Cup. He provided the assist that allowed Neymar to open the score, but from that point on, it was all Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot after Gerard Pique committed a silly hand ball to cause the penalty. The defender told AS (h/t Football Espana) he disagreed with the decision:

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It would be nice to know what the criteria is because it’s true the ball touches my hand but I couldn’t get it out the way.

[...]He kicked the ball and I can’t disappear. The ball hit my hand and the whistle can be blown then.

Then came their second goal and the third, from a corner in our favour.

The referee didn’t say anything. I threw myself to the ground to use my body and I couldn’t put my hands behind my back.

"

Los Blancos took the lead early in the second half through Pepe before Karim Benzema finished a sensational counter-attack over several stations, making it 3-1. The hosts controlled the play from that point, walking away with an easy win.

As shared by Inside La Liga, the Barcelona boss thought it was well deserved:

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Luis Enrique: "We had good spells, but we made mistakes we should now analyze. Madrid played very good and they won deservedly."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2014"

Enrique pointed at several small errors his squad made, the kind of mistakes a top team like Real will punish:

He explained every team has to lose at some point, refusing to draw any conclusions regarding how things will play out by the end of the season:

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Luis Enrique: "Defeats are part of football and of the learning process. We'll see at the end of the season if we deserved something."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2014"

Carlo Ancelotti was understandably satisfied with the result, praising his team's work rate:

Some players spoke out on the Catalans receiving an extra days of rest due to the Champions League schedule, but as the Italian manager stated, his team looked to be in fine form on the pitch:

When asked about standout performers, he couldn't isolate a single player:

Isco and James Rodriguez impressed tremendously, casting doubt over the future of Gareth Bale. Ancelotti made it clear the Wales international is still very much part of his plans:

When asked about Enrique's decision to start Suarez, he said he expected it, but it didn't alter his plans or preparations:

Finally, he couldn't help giving his players one more compliment:

The win takes Los Blancos to within one point of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings, while Sevilla have a chance to jump back over Real when they host Villarreal on Sunday.

Ancelotti's men have now won six straight in La Liga, and Saturday's Clasico victory ended the Catalans' unbeaten streak and marked the first time they conceded in domestic competition all year.

As far as momentum-changing wins go, it doesn't get any bigger than this. Los Blancos are firing on all cylinders right now, and if even the mighty Blaugrana can't slow them down, one has to wonder who can.

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