The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, admitted that the 3-0 defeat against Arsenal FC on Tuesday was a tough loss that they did not expect and leaves them with very few chances of a comeback. Ancelotti mentioned that they will try their best to turn the situation around, despite the team’s mental and physical breakdown after conceding the second goal.
«It was a tough defeat, obviously, we did not expect this. For an hour, I think the team was doing quite well, and in the first half, the team was well organized. However, after the two set-piece goals, the team dropped a bit mentally and physically,» Ancelotti commented during a press conference.
The Italian coach acknowledged the difficulty his team faced in finishing the match. He highlighted the lack of reaction that the team usually shows, especially in the last 30 minutes. Ancelotti emphasized the importance of being self-critical and doing everything possible to attempt a comeback.
«While the chances are slim, we will still give it a try in every possible way. It’s an opportunity to react to a bad game and a bad result, and see if we are capable of doing so,» added the coach.
Ancelotti found it challenging to explain why the team faltered and failed to react collectively. He mentioned that the team resorted to individual plays, which penalized them. The loss of organization on the field allowed Arsenal to control the game better, leading to the final result.
The Real Madrid coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance until the first goal was conceded. However, he acknowledged that the reaction afterwards was poor, highlighting a recurring issue throughout the season of struggling to maintain a compact structure during both good and bad moments.
Regarding the team lineup, Ancelotti noted that it was different from previous years but emphasized the importance of playing the best players rather than keeping them on the bench. He stressed the need to organize the team effectively to maintain a compact unit, a task that they have not consistently achieved.
Ancelotti did not shy away from admitting that Arsenal displayed better attitude, quality, and cohesion. Despite the criticism, he recognized that the team had performed well for most of the match. He acknowledged the physical strength and hard work of the opposing team, making it a challenging encounter for Real Madrid.
While it may seem like there is no chance of a turnaround after the defeat, Ancelotti reminded everyone that football is unpredictable, and anything can happen. He referenced unexpected outcomes in previous matches at the Bernabéu stadium, emphasizing the need to remain optimistic despite the current setback.
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