Real Madrid players elated by Barcelona’s 1-0 loss to Almeria

Almeria’s 1-0 victory over Barcelona last night left Real Madrid players elated with joy, according to The Athletic.

Barca missed a chance to go 10 points clear at the top of the La Liga table.

Xavi’s side suffered their second loss of the campaign, with El Bilal Toure’s first-half goal enough to do damage.

Madrid drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid on Saturday, and a win for the Catalans the next day would have been painful.

However, Barcelona struggled away from home and registered just one shot on target all game.

Several Los Blancos players think it’s possible to retain the title after their bitter rivals’ defeat.

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff were happy with the result, too.

They had been annoyed by the level of criticism for the derby draw.

Madrid had to come from a goal down to secure a point against 10-man Atletico at Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti and his staff believe that the toll of Tuesday’s win against Liverpool had not been properly taken into account by the critics.

Madrid ran out 5-2 winners in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

However, they struggled against Diego Simeone’s side despite Angel Correa’s dismissal in the 64th minute.

Jose Gimenez gave the visitors the lead in the 78th minute, but Alvaro Rodriguez drew Madrid level with five minutes remaining.

Barca remain top of La Liga after 23 games, with seven points between them and second-placed Madrid.

The clubs meet in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday.

The weekend results will be on their minds, and plenty is at stake heading into the El Clasico.