Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has attributed the team’s 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in Saturday’s El Clasico to missed opportunities and a loss of momentum after Barcelona’s first goal. Speaking after the match, Ancelotti expressed disappointment with his team’s inability to convert their early chances, which he believes turned the tide of the game in favor of their Catalan rivals.
During the first half of the highly anticipated match, Real Madrid dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities. However, they failed to capitalize on these moments, allowing Barcelona to stay in the game.
“We missed many chances,” Ancelotti said in his post-match interview. “We lost our energy when they scored.”
The game shifted dramatically in the second half when Barcelona’s striker, Robert Lewandowski, scored twice within a span of 10 minutes. His quickfire goals gave Barcelona a comfortable lead, which they built on with additional strikes from young talent Lamine Yamal and winger Raphinha. The defeat allowed Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the LaLiga standings, now sitting six points clear of Real Madrid.
Reflecting on the match, Ancelotti noted the emotional impact of the loss on the team.
“We’re hurt, yes… these are difficult moments,” he admitted. However, he also emphasized the need for resilience and urged the team not to lose hope. “But we will not give up; the season is long,” he added, expressing optimism that Real Madrid could still turn their season around.
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Ancelotti praised the team’s first-half performance despite the disappointing result.
“In the first half, I liked the team. We are sad,” he stated, acknowledging the solid start that ultimately failed to translate into goals.
He also took a moment to recognize the unwavering support from the club’s fans, even during the challenging match.
“I have to thank the fans because they helped us for 90 minutes,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the supporters’ role in tough times.
Despite the heavy defeat, Ancelotti remained hopeful about the remainder of the season and downplayed any need for drastic changes.
“We don’t have to throw everything because there is nothing to throw. For 60 minutes we competed very well, but we had 30 minutes to forget,” he remarked, highlighting that there were still positives to take from the game.