Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano praised coach Manuel Pellegrini after their defeat at Barcelona.

There were claims the Chilean would be sacked if Real collapsed at the Nou Camp on Sunday. But Real came away with great praise in defeat.

Valdano said: "From that point of view, Pellegrini has done what is required to coach Real Madrid: to show ambition, courage, a sense of risk and represent this shirt as it deserves to be.

"Just look at the Raul decision. We needed a goal and Raul has a good scoring record and knows how to do so against Barcelona.

"But it was just one good way to send a message to the team that we had to keep pushing and being ambitious."