Ancelotti: 'Our mistakes determined the outcome of the game'
“The team is feeling it because we usually win finals, but there's no doubt that Real Madrid will always bounce back', said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh after the Spanish Super Cup final: 'Our mistakes determined the outcome of the game. We didn't look after the ball and they scored two goals as a result. The game changed from there. It was a bad match for everyone but it wasn't down to a lack of spirit'.
'In my mind we don't talk about humiliation, that's a bit too far. Sometimes in sport you win and sometimes you're beaten. We lost a game against Barcelona, like we beat them in LaLiga. They played better and deserved it'.
What's the mood like in the dressing room?
'The team is feeling it because we usually win finals, but we've got all we need to improve. There's no doubt that Real Madrid will always bounce back. It is not a decisive period, but it's a tough and difficult one, just like there usually is during a season. Tough moments occur often and that's why we have to overcome them quickly by showing the same attitude and commitment that we always do'.
Lack of intensity
'There was a lack of intensity and the team was not very sharp. We gave the ball away 25 times in the first half, we didn't show much intensity in one-on-ones, and we lost a lot of duels. It was a poor game in all respects'.
'In my mind we don't talk about humiliation, that's a bit too far. Sometimes in sport you win and sometimes you're beaten. We lost a game against Barcelona, like we beat them in LaLiga. They played better and deserved it'.
What's the mood like in the dressing room?
'The team is feeling it because we usually win finals, but we've got all we need to improve. There's no doubt that Real Madrid will always bounce back. It is not a decisive period, but it's a tough and difficult one, just like there usually is during a season. Tough moments occur often and that's why we have to overcome them quickly by showing the same attitude and commitment that we always do'.
Lack of intensity
'There was a lack of intensity and the team was not very sharp. We gave the ball away 25 times in the first half, we didn't show much intensity in one-on-ones, and we lost a lot of duels. It was a poor game in all respects'.
Defensive work
“When you concede three goals it means you need to improve defensively. The players have to realise that these mistakes are easy to avoid. But before the mistakes, both teams had chances to score. Then, when they took the lead, they moved closer to victory and it’s harder to comeback, which is what happened to us in the league game”.
On whether this could be a turning point
“The team’s not going through it’s best moment, but we have to dig in, because this team’s got the quality to come back and be competitive in every competition we’re still in. We’re hurting right now, because we usually win finals, but there are still plenty of trophies to play for and we’ll fight right until the end”.
“We have to pick ourselves up and think about what we’re going to do. We’ll make sure we’re tough and competitive again, but we have to improve defensively. This is where we’re struggling at the moment”.
“When you concede three goals it means you need to improve defensively. The players have to realise that these mistakes are easy to avoid. But before the mistakes, both teams had chances to score. Then, when they took the lead, they moved closer to victory and it’s harder to comeback, which is what happened to us in the league game”.
On whether this could be a turning point
“The team’s not going through it’s best moment, but we have to dig in, because this team’s got the quality to come back and be competitive in every competition we’re still in. We’re hurting right now, because we usually win finals, but there are still plenty of trophies to play for and we’ll fight right until the end”.
“We have to pick ourselves up and think about what we’re going to do. We’ll make sure we’re tough and competitive again, but we have to improve defensively. This is where we’re struggling at the moment”.