BARCELONA: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his side are still in the driving seat in the La Liga title race despite a shock 1-0 defeat by Espanyol on Saturday.

Carlos Romero`s 85th minute strike snatched victory for the relegation-battling hosts, provisionally 17th.

Real lead the Spanish top flight on 49 points, one ahead of Atletico Madrid, who beat Mallorca 2-0, with the city rivals set to meet next weekend.

`We had chances and could have scored, but despite the defeat we are still in the fight. We have to focus on the next game,` Ancelotti told a press conference. `We could have done better, the result was deserved,` he added.

The Italian manager also criticised the decision not to show a red card to eventual goalscorer Carlos Romero for a foul on Kylian Mbappe, who was running up the field on a breakaway attack.

`It was a clear foul, a very ugly tackle, but fortunately nothing happened,` Ancelotti added.

Real were dealt another blowwhen defender Antonio Rudiger left the pitch with a muscle problem andis set to be sidelinedforatleast two weeks.

`Following tests carried out by Real Madrid`s medical service Rudiger has been diagnosed with a muscle tear in his right leg,` the club revealed.

Rudiger will miss the crucial next week`s La Liga game against Atletico at Santiago Bernabeu, and the first leg of Real`s Champions League play-off with Manchester City on Feb 11.

Rudiger`s absence if confirmed will be a major blow to Ancelotti, who is already having to cope with the seaason-long absences of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, both out fortherestofthe season.

Vinicius Junior found the net with Real`s only chance but it was ruled out after Mbappe was adjudged to have fouled his marker.

Jofre Carreras had a low shot saved by Thibaut Courtois at the otherendonarareEspanyolattack.

Real looked sharper at the start of the second half and Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia saved fromJude Bellingham and then Mbappe struck the post from a tight angle.

The visitors were shocked by a swift Espanyol counter-attack which led to the breakthrough, with Omar El Hilali crossing for Romero to volley home at the back post.

Los Blancos did not create much danger in seven minutes of added time and Espanyol`s fans celebrated with abandon when Mbappe lashed over a late effort to end the game.

Earlier, Atletico secured a comfortable win over Mallorca, seventh, to put the pressure on, ahead of Real`s match.

Samuel Lino slid home in the 26th minute after a strong driving run by Giuliano Simeone, son of Atletico`s coach Diego Simeone.

Antoine Griezmann, who started the game on the bench, produced a superb lobbed finish to net the second in stoppage time and delight the Metropolitano stadium.

Atletico coach Simeone was able to celebrate his 500th La Liga match with the three points.

`I`m very happy for this journey, no doubt... it makes me very happy, he told reporters.-Agencies