Real Madrid GM Valdano insists players did not deserve defeat

Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano insists they did not deserve defeat to Sporting Gijon.

The shock result all but hands the Liga title to Barcelona.

"The team gave it their all and I do not think that they deserved to lose. We must now look forward and I am sure that the team is ready for the important challenges, which await us," Valdano told the club's official website.

"In the second half we really pushed hard for a goal. They scored with their only chance and thus put us under a lot of pressure."

"We could not turn the game around. The team did give it everything and we do have Higuain back now. Everyone is disappointed, as is always the case after a defeat."