Real Madrid dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday in which Jude Bellingham was sent off, but stayed top of La Liga after Atletico Madrid tied 1-1 with Celta Vigo.
The Spanish champions took the lead through Kylian Mbappe before the referee red-carded England international Bellingham for dissent towards the end of the first half.
Ante Budimir levelled for hosts Osasuna from the penalty spot after 58 minutes as Carlo Ancelotti's side endured a third consecutive league match without victory. Atletico Madrid, who also played with 10 men after Pablo Barrios was dismissed in just the seventh minute, were unable to capitalise and remain a point behind Los Blancos, but Barcelona could pull level with Real Madrid if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Bellingham insisted he was expressing his frustration and not insulting the referee.
"I think you can see clearly in the video, I remember the incident very well, it was an expression to myself," he told reporters.
"I'm not even directing myself towards the referee, but obviously there was a misunderstanding. He's believed that I've said (something insulting) to him...
"There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult."
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was happy with how his team played despite dropping points.
"In a footballing sense we started very well, and we finished well despite having one less player," said Ancelotti.
The Italian made a few rotations with the midweek Champions League play-off second leg clash against Manchester City in mind, with Rodrygo resting and Brahim Diaz given a rare start.
Los Blancos controlled the game from the off, moving the ball around too quickly for Osasuna to get a foothold. Madrid did not have to wait long for their opener, with Mbappe firing home from Fede Valverde's cross, his seventh goal in his last five La Liga matches.
The game changed when Bellingham was dismissed in the 39th minute. The England international exchanged words with referee Jose Munuera Montero, who then reached for his red card.
Ancelotti said Bellingham should not have been dismissed.
"I think with Bellingham's red card (the referee) didn't understand the English well... I don't think it's something offensive," Ancelotti told reporters.
"I think the red card came out because the referee was nervous... Bellingham did nothing today to have been sent off, absolutely nothing." Madrid have complained heavily about Spanish refereeing in recent weeks, labelling it "rigged" and they grew further frustrated with Munuera Montero in the second half.
Osasuna levelled before the hour mark through Budimir from the spot after Eduardo Camavinga was late on the Croatian striker.
Budimir's penalty was his 13th goal of the season, behind only Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski and Mbappe, on 17, in the standings.
Mbappe had one last chance in stoppage time but Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera palmed away his effort with a strong hand.
After playing for nearly an hour with 10 men, Manchester City will hope it takes a toll on Madrid on Wednesday when the sides meet at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Long way to go in LaLiga title race: Barcelona's Flick
Barcelona are focusing on producing strong performances rather than looking at the LaLiga standings with a long way to go in the title race, coach Hansi Flick said on Sunday.
Barca have the opportunity to return to the top when they host sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano at the Olympic Stadium on Monday, after both their main rivals dropped points on Saturday.
"We don't have to look at the standings. There is still a long way to go and what we want to show is a good performance," Flick told reporters.
"I have the feeling that, more and more, the team has more and more confidence in its strength and is having a good time. That is the most important thing.
"I have the feeling that the players want to show what kind of team they are and what mentality they have. And that's great for the coaches... Our will is to keep improving and I think that's actually what we are doing," the German added.
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