BARCELONA: La Liga champions Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis on Saturday, which coach Carlo Ancelotti said was a `big blow` to their title defence, while Atletico Madrid took advantage to leapfrog their city rivals.

Diego Simeone`s side scraped a nervy 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, fourth, to lead Real by two points.

For Betis, Isco scored the winner from the penalty spot against his former side Real.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong line up, with no breathing room in the title race, despite the impending Champions League clash against rivals Atletico.

`If we play like this on Tuesday we will not win,` said Ancelotti, whose side have one win in their last five Liga matches.

The visitors took the lead at the Benito Villamarin stadium through Brahim Diaz but Betis struck back with a Johnny Cardoso header, as Real missed the suspended Jude Bellingham.

Isco secured the Andalusian side a deserved victory with a penalty early in the second half.

`It`s a big blow. We have to react,` continued Ancelotti.

`We started well, but later we did not have the same level of commitment, the game got out of control against a side that played better than us and deserved to win.

Isco returned to action in December after missing several months with a broken leg and has hit top form in recent weeks.

`About halfway through the first half we stepped up our game, and I`m happy with the win against the best team around these days,` said the playmaker, who won several major trophies with Real Madrid before departing in 2022.

Meanwhile, Atletico held their nerve at the Metropolitano stadium to take a provisional lead in the title race.

After substitute Alvarez struck, the Basque side hit the woodwork three times in the hunt for an equaliser.

`It`s an incredibly important win, we knew it would not be easy,` Alvarez told Movistar.

`We`re in the fight for the title, but we know there`s a long way to go, a lot of very important games are coming close together, but with hard work and humility we`ll achieve (our goals).`-AFP