Carlo Ancelotti faced the media after Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu. He reflected on the loss, noting that small moments, like a missed penalty and a disallowed goal, shifted the game’s momentum. “Valencia worked hard, but I believe we played well enough to win,” he said. Ancelotti acknowledged there’s room for improvement but emphasized that the players showed the right attitude. He remarked, “We’ve had games we deserved to lose, but today wasn’t one of them.”
When discussing Vinicius Jr.’s missed penalty, Ancelotti pointed out the struggles with penalties this season. “It’s a tricky time for penalty takers like Bellingham, Mbappé, and Vinicius. I’ve tried to boost his confidence, but unfortunately, he missed again.”
Reflecting on the match against Valencia, Ancelotti highlighted the team’s offensive efforts. “We created many chances but lacked finishing. Defensively, we conceded little, yet opponents don’t need many opportunities to score against us. We took risks to win, but we fell short.”
Looking ahead, he addressed the upcoming match against Barcelona in the Cup. “We missed a chance to push harder for the league. Against Barça, the game will feel different; they’re aggressive, and we must tighten our defense and be sharper in front of the goal.”
On the league title race, Ancelotti admitted, “It’s tougher now, but we’re committed to giving our best for the rest of the season. It’s a longer shot after this match, yet we will keep fighting.”
Regarding goalkeepers, Ancelotti mentioned Thibaut Courtois’s improvement in training and opted against risking goalkeeper Andriy Lunin for now. “Courtois felt good today. We’ll consider our options as the week progresses.”
Ancelotti also addressed the noise surrounding Vinicius Jr., who faced whistles from fans. “Vinicius stays focused on his performance. He’s committed, whether he plays well or not.”
Lastly, when asked about Kylian Mbappé becoming the new penalty taker, Ancelotti was noncommittal. “We’ll see what happens.”
This match highlights the intense pressure on top-tier teams like Real Madrid. Ancelotti’s insights reflect not only the challenges of each game but also how external factors, such as player confidence and fan expectations, greatly impact performance. Understanding these dynamics can offer fans a deeper perspective on the beautiful game.
Check out this related article: Breaking News: KSR’s Instant Reaction to Jaland Lowe’s Exciting Commitment to Kentucky!
Source linkancelotti,we,ve,had,deserved,defeats,but,today,wasn,t,deserved,managing,madrid,front-page
