Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti 'confused' by attacking problems

Real's lead La Liga by two points, with Barcelona to play Rayo Vallecano on Sunday

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says he is "confused" by his strikers' problems in attack, after watching his side's La Liga title challenge suffer a blow with defeat at Athletic Bilbao.

Aritz Aduriz scored as Real lost 1-0 at San Mames, meaning Barcelona can go top if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

"There is no connection, there is too much individual play," said Ancelotti.

"It's strange to say Madrid have a problem up front when we have scored so many goals but I think it's the truth."

Ancelotti's side came close to levelling against Athletic when Gareth Bale struck the post with an outrageous long-range lob, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema were also denied.

"The front three didn't play well, but it is not just their fault," Ancelotti added.

"We need to attack as a team. It is quite confusing what we are doing when we are attacking at the moment."

After ending 2014 on a record-breaking 22-match winning run, Real's league form has dipped, allowing Barcelona to make up valuable ground in the race for the title.

Real are two points ahead of Barca but have now picked up just one point from their last two games, having also drawn 1-1 at home to Villarreal last Sunday.