Classic fight-back from Real

A never-say-die approach is part of Real Madrid’s DNA, said captain Sergio Ramos after his stoppage time equaliser maintained a six-point La Liga lead over Barcelona with a 1-1 draw in El Clasico.

Ramos strode forward from defence to net another goal after Luis Suarez’s 53rd minute opener looked to end Madrid’s 32-game unbeaten run.

“The team has again showed that we came here to win the game, it wasn’t to be but we got a point,” said Ramos.

“At the end of the day the DNA of Real Madrid obliges you to fight until the end, to always have hope.”

Ramos’s header was a blow to Barca, who have now dropped more points at home already this campaign than they did in the whole of last season.

“It shows that we have done things well since the start of the season, but we can’t go crazy,” added Ramos. “Six points is just two games. There is a long way to go and Barca and the other teams below will make things very difficult.”

Despite Ramos’s heroics, Madrid’s standout performer was Luka Modric as the Croatian ran the midfield in the opening 45 minutes before Barca markedly improved after the break.

“We played like a team,” said Modric. “If we leave it all out on the field, it is very difficult to beat us. We have to do this in every game, not just in the Clasico.”

Suarez awoke from an offcolour display to head home Neymar’s free-kick to give Barca the lead.

However, the hosts were left to rue huge missed chances from Neymar and Lionel Messi before Ramos’s late leveller snatched a point.