Valverde: Winning a Clasico in this way brings emotion LaLiga Santander Barcelona thump Real Madrid 5-1

Real Madrid fell to a humiliating 5-1 defeat to a Lionel Messi-less Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon, and Ernesto Valverde was understandably thrilled by the result.

Luis Suarez scored a hattrick for the Catalans as they condemned Madrid to yet another defeat, placing real doubt on the future of Los Blancos boss Julen Lopetegui.

"It was a difficult 15 minutes," Valverde said at his post-match press conference, referring to Madrid's spell of dominance at the beginning of the second half.

"We played a good game and the first half was ours.

"They changed in the second half and played very wide, but we recovered and took advantage of the risks they took."

The Clasico is a game filled with emotion but Valverde says the key to coming out on top is to keep focused on the task at hand on the pitch and coming off the back of three big wins, he called for his players to keep their heads.

"Playing games like these three has shown our merit," he said.

"Winning a Clasico like that is emotional but we have to keep our feet on the ground.

"Now we think about Cultural Leonesa and Rayo Vallecano."

Lopetegui is almost certain to be sacked as Madrid boss but Valverde offered some support to his opposite number.

"I know what it's like to be in his position and it's difficult.

"When things go wrong it affects the coach and that's football.

"What's happening to him could happen to me in three weeks and I wish Julen the best and, for me, all dismissals are unfair."