Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has admitted that his side 'had to suffer' during Sunday's 1-0 win over Huesca in La Liga.

The league's basement side were facing Madrid for the first time in their history, but despite impressing for long stages, the hosts were undone by a first-half Gareth Bale volley.

Fourth-placed Madrid are now just two points off second-placed Sevilla and third-placed Atletico Madrid, while they have moved to within five points of division leaders Barcelona once again.

Courtois has conceded that his side were far from their best against Huesca, but the summer arrival from Chelsea was pleased with the final result.

"In the first half we played pretty well, we scored our goal pretty quickly and controlled the game, except for that one chance [at the end]," Courtois told reporters. "However, the wind went against us in the second half and that influenced the game a lot.

"It was very difficult to put moves together. We created almost nothing so we need to improve, but at places like Huesca we have to win, even by suffering, It's not easy so we're happy with the victory, although it's difficult to say what we have to improve on right now.

"We didn't have the ball and that makes it hard for you to hurt your opponents and easy for them to hurt you. We have to improve in that aspect and we'll analyse it during the week, but the important thing is the three points."

Next up for Real is their final group match in the Champions League against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night.