Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has pleaded for "forgiveness" from the club's fans after their 4-0 home loss against Barcelona in El Clasico.

The win saw Barca pull six points clear of their bitter rivals, and Ramos admitted that Los Blancos need to make sure that they get their revenge when the two meet again at the Camp Nou in April.

The 29-year-old also backed manager Rafael Benitez after the game and believes that the team need to stick together at this difficult time.

The club captain told reporters: "We have to ask the Real Madrid fans for forgiveness for our poor performance. We didn't play to the standards of this crest. With this pain comes an opportunity to exact revenge in a few months' time.

"Words are cheap. Those affiliated with Real Madrid want action, not words. We, the team, are angrier than anyone because it was a match in which we had a chance to finish as league leaders.

"If football was like maths, then it would always work out as planned."

The Spanish international has scored one goal in seven league appearances for Real Madrid this season.