Sergio Ramos respects criticism, still confident of Real Madrid's La Liga chance

Sergio Ramos reacts after Real Madrid concede a goal during El Clasico

Madrid, March 24 (IANS) Spanish football club Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos on Tuesday admitted that his side had to be able to accept criticism but believes they showed in the 1-2 defeat to FC Barcelona that they can still win the La Liga.

Madrid's defeat at the Camp Nou stadium saw them slip to four points behind leaders Barcelona in the title race and one of the unpleasant images of the night saw two Madrid fans hurling abuse at winger Gareth Bale and striker Jese Rodriguez as well as hitting the players' cars they drove out of Madrid's training ground on Monday.

"I respect everyone and I have lived with criticism," said Ramos, who accepts the frustration, but also thinks the players have to know how to react to it.

"We are the biggest representatives of the team. People need faces who they can blame, but we need to have broad shoulders and let people see that when we go through difficult periods we respond," he said.

He opined the demands of the Real Madrid supporters in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium were important to get the side to play its best football.

The central defender admitted a defeat was always "bad," but said his side, "left with our heads held high because we played some good football".

"We were quiet on the plane back to Madrid, because we had left everything on the pitch and it was a blow to lose," said Ramos, who didn't think the title was lost with 10 matches still to play.

"The season is long and the important thing is how it ends. As I said the other night, I have seen titles won when the gap between the top two has been greater," he concluded.