Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi has refused to play down the importance of his team's La Liga clash with Real Madrid after the international break.

Real Madrid, who lead Spain's top flight after 11 matches, will travel to the Vicente Calderon on November 19 six points ahead of Atletico in La Liga.

Atletico, meanwhile, have lost two of their last three in the league, and Gabi has insisted that his side "have to improve" if they are to overcome their rivals later this month.

"It is going to be a vital game for us. It is crucial because we cannot let Real Madrid get too far ahead of us in the table. We want to be neck and neck with them, but we have to improve if we are to win the derby," Gabi told AS.

"We have to go back to being a team which is solid at the back and we all have to do our job to make the team secure. It is a difficult moment for us, the team is used to winning, but we are not playing well and now we have gone two games on the trot losing away from home.

"Defeats are always negative and more so when they mean you drop places in the table. We want to be the best team and for that to happen we have to improve."

Atletico have won six, drawn three and lost two of their 11 league matches this season.