-
Carlo Ancelotti apologises for ‘unbelievable’ Girona loss – but insists Los Blancos ‘will be fine’ in Champions League clash vs Man City.
After Real Madrid’s 4-2 loss to Girona, Carlo Ancelotti apologized to the supporters but assured Los Blancos “will be fine” against Manchester City.
Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vasquez scored for the visitors in a 4-2 hammering of Real Madrid on Tuesday night at the Estadi Montilivi, thanks to an unbelievable four goals from New York City FC loanee Valentin Castellanos.
Ancelotti was furious with his team’s defence, but he has guaranteed that they would play better in the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna and the next Champions League semi-final match against Manchester City.
“It’s tough because when you lose it must be tough,” the Madrid boss told reporters. “The match was bad in defence. And that was the key, because we did well on the ball, especially at the beginning. But we were not convincing in the duels, we were caught in two counter-attacks, and from there, everything became more difficult.
“I understand that the fans are hurt, we apologise. We are also hurt. But the fans know that we will be fine in the cup final, as well as in the semi-final (against City). It’s harder to say today, but this match does not represent Madrid. We apologise, but we must look ahead.”
Real Madrid looked utterly disjointed against Girona after having preserved six clean sheets in their previous seven games. Ancelotti, though, thinks that this loss may serve as a wake-up call for his team as the season comes to a close.
“Yes, it can (be good for the team),” he added. “A defeat is never good, but the defensive commitment is too important and if we have it, we will always win. It’s unbelievable. The team was on a good defensive streak. We conceded with a lack of forcefulness in the duels and a lack of organisation. Every time they came out from the back they made uncontrolled transitions. And in one minute in the second half our legs were cut off. We are very hurt. We have to pick ourselves up. We have everything at stake.”
When Real Madrid plays Almeria in the following La Liga match on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, they will try to atone for their defeat.