The La Liga champions still trail Real by five points despite Sunday's 4-1 victory at Malaga, after the league leaders beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the late game.

"Madrid took merit from Barca's sensational first round," Guardiola told reporters. "They had a fantastic first round and we dropped important points, which they did not.

"It is always hard to play at Mestalla, Anoeta or Cornella, because the teams there always play well."

Despite Barca's comfortable victory against Malaga, Guardiola had special words of praise for Manuel Pellegrini's side.

"They have a great coach, who really knows about football," he said. "Moreover, they have many talented players against whom you cannot get carried away.

"After we were up 4-1, they created danger out of nowhere. To get several victories in a row is the hardest thing in this sport, and that is what people expect from a top club.

"But you cannot achieve that in two or three months."

Guardiola then hailed Lionel Messi, who scored three goals on Sunday, saying: "It is very hard to be regular for so long.

"He has scored again and he will do very well in the next matches."

Meanwhile, Messi said Barcelona are still in the race for the title.

"There is a lot (of time) left (before the end of the league season) - the second round of matches - and we will keep pushing," Messi told AS.

Messi then looked ahead to Wednesday's meeting with Real in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, in which the Catalans hold a 2-1 lead.

"We got tired today, but we get tired after every match because they are demanding," he said.

"We are used to playing every three days. We will prepare for this match well."