Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his side were made to pay for their mistakes by an inspired Lionel Messi in Sunday's 4-3 Clasico defeat to Barcelona.
Messi struck for the first time just before half-time but Cristiano Ronaldo restored Real's lead with a controversial penalty on 55 minutes.
But Messi delivered from the spot twice in 20 minutes as Sergio Ramos was sent off, putting Barca to within a point of top spot in La Liga as he broke Alfredo Di Stefano's long-standing
record for goals scored in the Clasico.
Ramos and Ronaldo were quick to criticise referee Alberto Undiano after the match, but Ancelotti was more concerned with the errors in his side's play.
"It's difficult for me to comment on the referee's decisions," he told reporters after the match.
"It's true that Messi scored three goals but any mistakes against a player of his quality will always hurt you.
"We have nine matches left. It will be all intense. Every game will be decisive."
Atletico Madrid are now top of La Liga following their win over Betis, while Barcelona are just a point behind the capital clubs, and Ancelotti believes this season's title race will go right to the wire.
"The league race is still open. We need an immediate reaction," he added.
"I've said it many times – the league will be decided in the last match. We have to continue fighting. We need to react.
"I haven't spoken to the players about the match yet. We committed small mistakes and that's why we lost.
"The team is ready to get up and move on. We have to be satisfied with how we played.
"We have improved a lot, the team have showed their quality and proved it in this match. It was a good game but we now have to forget about it quickly. Our next match is important."