Zidane: Real Madrid can still catch Barcelona

Zinedine Zidane insists Real Madrid can still win La Liga despite falling eight points behind leaders Barcelona with Sunday's shock loss at Girona.

The champions slipped to a second league defeat of their title defence as the home side became the first promoted team to beat Los Blancos in 27 years.

Isco put Madrid ahead inside 12 minutes, but two goals in the space of four second-half minutes brought the visitors undone and left Zidane's side languishing in third.

The French coach defended the brittle display and affirmed his belief that the title race is far from over.

"We know we can turn this around. We will have better days and the other teams will drop points too over the season," Zidane told reporters at his post-match press conference.

"We lost three points unexpectedly [but] we want to win La Liga, it is our day to day.

"I do not agree that we played badly. All the players made an effort. I am annoyed for them, as it was just details [which cost Madrid].

"We will go home, rest, and get ready for Wednesday. The players are still motivated for La Liga."

Madrid's disappointing afternoon was compounded by another setback for Raphael Varane, who is in doubt for the midweek Champions League clash at Tottenham after being forced off at half-time.

"Varane has a small problem with his adductor, that's what I have been told," Zidane said.

"We will have to [wait until] tomorrow [for more details]."