Cristiano Ronaldo has defended his club manager Carlo Ancelotti by saying the players are to blame for their 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.
Madrid are now five points behind their city rivals and Barcelona, who are both yet to drop points this season.
“The manager has nothing to do with it. He is doing a great job. The fault is on the players, we are the ones that have to improve,” he told Marca.
“I am happy with Ancelotti; he is one of the best coaches I have ever had.”
An eighth minute goal by Diego Costa was enough to seal a win or Atletico and hand Real their first defeat of the season.
World record signing Gareth Bale was introduced at half-time for his home debut but was unable to change the fate of his club.
“We have to keep our heads up because the league is complicated,” said Portuguese forward Ronaldo, 28.
“The good thing is that this loss has come early. I have a lot of hope for winning something important this year. I played poorly and so did my team-mates.”
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has urged his side to not get carried away by their surprise start to the season.
The former Argentina international midfielder, 43, said: “In a season, Barca and Real’s financial and individual strength is bigger, we have to use our weapons and take it game by game.
“We have to keep calm, the season is very long, we cannot be over-confident.”