Saturday 3 December 2016 23:39, UK
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says his side deserved to win Saturday's El Clasico after conceding a late equaliser to Real Madrid.
The visitors shaded the goalless first half, but it was the Catalan club who took the lead eight minutes into the second period as Luis Suarez headed home from a Neymar free-kick.
They had a number of chances to add to their tally - Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta and Neymar all going close - but were made to pay for their missed opportunity on the stroke of full-time.
Luka Modric delivered a free-kick from the left-hand side, and it met the head of an unmarked Sergio Ramos who powered home to take a point away from the Nou Camp.
Luis Enrique was disappointed to have let the victory, and the chance to cut the deficit to three points, slip away from his side.
"We deserved to win. We could have closed the game out, we had it in our hands, but we have not achieved it," he said.
"It is not the best result for us. It was a very even first half and a second that we were better, we created chances. We continued looking for the second to avoid being levelled, but we were unable to do so.
"In my opinion, the performance of the team was higher than that of the rival, but we have to improve, it is clear. I say this even when we win, and even when we draw. We can improve in all aspects of the game. We are ambitious."
Iniesta was the catalyst for much of the good play for Barcelona during the second half as he came on for Ivan Rakitic on the hour mark.
He came in for praise from his manager, who said he did not regret any of the decisions he made during the draw.
"It is clear that Iniesta is a unique players and his input was perfect. He entered at a key moment and, despite the difficulties of being out for so long. He gave us quality, vision and hard work," Luis Enrique added.
"I am not sorry about any decisions I made. If the game had ended in the 89th minute you would not be asking me this."
