Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Real Madrid, expressed disappointment after his team’s late goal heartache in the cup final against Barcelona. He ruled out any talk about his future, saying that talk would be saved for next week. Even with three points in hand, Ancelotti stressed that the most important thing is what his team has to do going forward.
Just a few weeks ago in the Supercopa de España cup final, Real Madrid were down 1-0 at the half against Barcelona. They stormed back heroically in the second half, putting on a remarkable display. Despite their efforts, a late goal from Barcelona’s Ferran Torres in the 84th minute sealed Madrid’s fate, leaving them to ponder what could have been.
“There is nothing bad to say about the team who fought really hard. We competed very well. If we had won, it wouldn’t have been a scandal. We did great until we were shocked late…” – Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti focused on the positives that could be drawn from a match in which his hands had almost touched the trophy being won. He noted that Real Madrid’s second-half display was particularly commendable, stating, “We played a level game and were very close to lifting the cup. I’m hurt for not being able to lift the cup, but I have nothing to reproach my players because we played the game we had to play.”
Inconsistency Plagues Real Madrid
Despite their spirited effort in the cup final, Ancelotti admitted that Real Madrid has struggled with inconsistency during the current season. With just LaLiga remaining as a hope to escape a trophy-less season, it’s do or die for the senior squad. Barcelona now sit four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga standings with only five matches left to play.
Real Madrid’s Clasico with Barcelona on May 11 is quickly approaching. This outing will be key to their quest to retake the league championship. Ancelotti downplayed the need for knockout stage success but stressed the need to be competitive in the league title chase. He stated that, “Like we gave tonight, we’re going to leave everything there at Barcelona, in the next liga match.”
Looking Ahead
Whatever happens with Ancelotti, he surprised everyone by underscoring his core competitiveness. “I can go on, I can stop, but it will be an issue for the next few weeks, not today,” he remarked, indicating that he is fully focused on leading his team through the remaining challenges of the season.
Barcelona at the top of LaLiga, and about to win the league title. Real Madrid must retool quickly to remain an elite club. Indeed, next Saturday’s clash with their chief rivals from the Bronx may well decide this season’s NYC derby title race.
“We were close to winning and we conceded a strange goal very late … A ball at the back of the defence … But against Barca it can happen,” – Carlo Ancelotti
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