Pique: My gesture? I like a heated atmosphere and I made it a little fiercer LaLiga Santander - Real Madrid vs Barcelona Also spoke about Ramos' clash with Messi

Lionel Messi was on the receiving end of a flailing elbow from Sergio Ramos at the end of the first half of Saturday's Clasico, and the chain of events ended in Gerard Pique making a gesture to Real Madrid fans.

Pique was left incensed by the lack of a red card for Ramos and after the game explained his half time message, when he used his hand to make a speaking gesture.

"I like a warm atmosphere, and I just made it a little fiercer," he explained in his post-match interview.

"You can see from the replays that it was an assault on Messi, and their fans are complaining all the time.

"I made the talking gesture because they complain many times and then the referees whistle in their favour."

Barcelona now sit 12 points ahead of Real Madrid in the LaLiga Santander table, making it almost inconceivable that the European champions will be able to win the title, yet the former Manchester United defender was quick to guard against complacency.

"It's a blow in terms of the league for them and it's difficult, but it isn't all over," he said.

"It's hard to win here, and this streak shows that we're doing the right things.

"However, it's worthless if we lose at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday."

For both sporting and political reasons, Pique is often the focus of Real Madrid supporters' abuse when he arrives at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, yet he feels as the nature of his relationship with his fierce rivals if often mischaracterised.

"The intensity doesn't have to be misunderstood," he said.

"I get along great with all the Real Madrid players, but it's another thing when you're defending your colours.

"In the end there is mutual respect, when you compare this to previous years it's nowhere close."