Real Madrid back on their feet for El Clasico

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari said on Friday (March 1) his side are back on their feet after losing to Barca in the King's Cup and ready to claim the three points in the upcoming Clasico.

Real's 3-0 defeat to Barca on Wednesday (February 27) saw them exit the competition 4-1 on aggregate.

Addressing reporters in Madrid, Solari insisted the team was doing "fine".

"Of course the other day we put all our effort in, we wanted to be in the final. We gave our best in the competition overall and in the last match. But that is it," he said.

"We are now back on our feet, thinking of tomorrow's game which is a different competition, the league. It is El Clasico once again and we are very focused and looking forward to it," Solari added.

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr delivered one of the best performances of his young career in Wednesday's match but missed a slew of chances to score.

The 18-year-old has come a long way but has room to improve, Solari told reporters.

"Beyond his youth and his freshness and his profundity, his skill, creativity, sacrifice, his will to learn, the way he bears the weight, the pressure. So many things in such short time. I want to look at that. Of course it is his job and the job of those around him to make him improve," he said.

Solari also continued to play down any talk of a rift with Gareth Bale, saying that fans were aware of the Welshman's contributions to the team.

Madrid will host the La Liga leaders Barca again on Saturday (March 2) in what is their last realistic attempt to get back into the title race, as they currently sit third, nine points adrift of the Catalans.