Real Madrid players have revelled in bitter rivals Barcelona’s 1-0 loss against Almeria, according to reports.

The Catalan giants were surprisingly defeated by the relegation contenders on Sunday thanks to a solitary goal from El Bilal Toure.

The result leaves Barcelona seven points clear of Real Madrid in second place – and they are strong favourites to take the LaLiga title with just 15 league games left this season.

But Los Blancos stars believe the championship race is still on – and, according to the Athletic, the club’s WhatsApp group came alive at around 8.20pm, shortly after Barca’s defeat was confirmed.

The messages were said to have been joyful and jocular, with several mocking their rivals. 

Real Madrid players have revelled in Barcelona’s shock 1-0 loss against Almeria, claim reports

The Catalan giants were defeated by the relegation contenders in Andalusia on Sunday

Read Related Also: Leyton Orient’s Omar Beckles is elected the new chair of the Professional Footballers’ Association

And Los Blancos stars are said to have taken to their WhatsApp group to mock their title rivals

Real Madrid themselves were criticised after only drawing 0-0 against ten-man Atletico Madrid on Saturday a day earlier. 

Multiple players spoke to the Athletic anonymously and stated that there is a sizeable belief in the camp the title race is still on and the seven-point lead can be overhauled.

Meanwhile, manager Carlo Ancelotti and his coaches are understood to be frustrated with the level of criticism after the derby draw, feeling the toll of beating Liverpool in the Champions League was not taken into consideration.

Barcelona manager Xavi blasted his players after the shock loss against Rubi’s relegation-threatened side at the Estadio Mediterráneo on Sunday.

Malian forward Toure scored the only goal of the game in the 24th minute, with Barca unable to score despite the presence of big-name stars Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong. 

And Xavi responded furiously to the result, insisting their lax performances could cost them the LaLiga title if they do not buck their ideas up. 

He said: ‘This was our worst match of the season. I’m very p****d off. It was too difficult. We weren’t there. We weren’t inside the match. There are no excuses today. We didn’t deserve to win and we have to take responsibility. I’m very p****d off.

‘We lacked passion in the first half. In the second half, we tried everything… 3-4-3, Araujo as a striker… Nothing. It wasn’t meant to be. It was not enough. If we don’t change our mental chip now, it will cost us the league title.’