Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano described his side's 5-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona as "very disappointing".
Jose Mourinho suffered his heaviest-ever loss as coach, lost his unbeaten record as Madrid boss and saw his team surrender top spot in the Primera Division to Barca after slumping to a comprehensive defeat at the Nou Camp.
It was a chastening experience for the new-look Madrid side - which included five players aged 23 or under in the starting line-up and four players making their Clasico debuts - but Valdano feels it can be used as part of the learning curve.
"It's been a game which will help us understand football at the highest level and to continue maturing. Madrid is a team for men and situations like this test your manliness. We will all know how to overcome this situation," he said.
The former Argentina international added: "We went into the game with the least goals conceded (six) and most scored (33), meaning we had played impeccably.
"We have very good players, a competent coach and this cannot be a decisive blow (in title race) in the 13th week of the season."
Madrid, who had won 15 and drawn the other four of their opening 19 games under Mourinho, could hardly have had a worse start at the Nou Camp after conceding twice in the opening 18 minutes, Xavi and Pedro Rodriguez on the mark for Barca.
There was no way back for the visitors after that and a brace from David Villa and a late goal from substitute Jeffren completed a one-sided scoreline that might have been even bigger.
That was the fifth successive Clasico defeat for Madrid, who also saw Sergio Ramos sent off in stoppage-time for a bad foul on Lionel Messi.
Valdano said on his club's website: "We didn't expect such a large margin of defeat and we are very disappointed.
"We were very uncomfortable against an opponent that enjoyed playing from the very start. We applaud Barcelona and we hope that we can give an exhibition of football in the return match."
