Margin of Barca victory 'excessive', says Ramos

Real Madrid did not deserve to lose by two goals against leaders Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Saturday and could even have snatched an unlikely victory if they had taken their chances, coach Juande Ramos said.

Late goals from Samuel Eto'o, who earlier had a penalty saved by Iker Casillas, and Lionel Messi condemned Ramos to a 2-0 defeat on his league debut since replacing Bernd Schuster as coach on Tuesday.

Barca's win stretches their advantage over their arch rivals to 12 points after 15 matches and Ramos's injury-plagued side now face a huge challenge to defend their title.

"The result was excessive considering what happened on the pitch," the former Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur boss said.

"We worked and fought hard and we had chances that we didn't take. But that's the way it is in football."

Ramos said he was happy with the way his players battled to keep a dominant Barca at bay but conceded that the 12-point gap was considerable.

"But there are a lot of matches left and you have to take each game as it comes," he said.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who played in 10 "Clasicos" for Barca and was taking charge of his first as coach, said he would try to keep his players' feet on the ground.

"We have won one more match and we know what it means to beat Real but it's just one match," he said.