Ancelotti: "I'm happy to win, El Clasico is the most important game"

Carlo Ancelotti hailed Real Madrid's togetherness and defensive work after Los Blancos defeated Barcelona 2-1 in Sunday's Clásico to return to the top of LaLiga.

David Alaba opened the scoring on his Clásico debut before Lucas Vázquez tapped in a second in stoppage time as Madrid seemed to be cruising to their fourth consecutive win over Barça in all competitions – their best run since 1965.

Sergio Agüero pulled one back at Camp Nou but that was not enough as the hosts went winless in a fifth straight LaLiga Clásico, their longest run without a victory against any team in the competition since May 2008.

However, at times Madrid had to soak up significant pressure and Ancelotti was delighted with his side's resolute defending as Ronald Koeman became only the second coach to suffer defeat in his first three Clásico meetings.

Ancelotti: "On the defensive aspect, I liked it a lot"

"We can compete, the team is very solid," Ancelotti started as he spoke to Movistar Plus post-match.

"We have played against a great one, who has played a great game. We have suffered, but we have known how to suffer together. Not to lose control when you don't have the ball, it is also a virtue.

"We have done very well. On the defensive aspect, I liked it a lot. We would all like to put pressure on the whole field, but it can't be done.

"It was a practical game. This team has this quality to play against and we have to enjoy it. Barça has complicated the game for us. It was not simple.

"I'm happy to win, El Clasico is the most important game. We are happy, but unfortunately, this is only three points."

Thibaut Courtois was required to make just the one save in a quiet game for the Belgium international but sustained a slight knock late on, revealing he was suffering while kicking the ball.

"Here you have to defend," Courtois told Movistar Plus after the match. "It is important to be well organized. Barça will be there until the end, winning here is good "

"We were always good, they didn't have chances until that final goal. We have to be more focused, because with two minutes remaining, with the stadium squeezing everything could happen [after Agüero's goal].

"I felt a pain when kicking, I could continue, I hope it is nothing serious."