Ancelotti: 'We didn't defend well'
'The team wasn't compact, especially in the first half, and Atlético took advantage of that', said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media following the LaLiga matchday 6 fixture against Atlético de Madrid. The coach gave his thoughts on the game: 'We didn't start well. We didn't defend well, we were soft in our own area and we weren't clinical. After they went 2-0 up, they played the game they wanted to play, defending very well and looking for quick transitions. They were better than us'.
'We changed the formation because we started with a diamond, with Modrić playing in the centre of midfield and with Bellingham and Rodrygo as the forwards. We didn't play Joselu because we were looking for more control of the ball with the presence of an extra midfielder. Bellingham's position in an attacking sense hasn't changed. It wasn't a problem of who played, it was a problem of defensive frailty that we hadn't had in the first few games. We'd only conceded three goals in six games and in 45 minutes we've conceded three goals. We were weak. It's fair to say that. It wasn't a good night'.
Conceded early goals
'It's something we've already spoken about and we'll continue to talk about it. It's important. We've gone behind early four times and three times we've been able to come back. We came close today, but the third goal ended the game. We did well at the end of the first half, but 3-1 was too much to turn around'.
The defence
'I'm not going to talk about individuals. All I'll say is that we didn't defend well. The team wasn't compact, especially in the first half and Atlético capitalised on that. The three goals were carbon copies. They were able to split the centre backs, who weren't well positioned in the area. We weren't compact for the three goals'.
Camavinga's disallowed goal
'I've not seen it. I was told that Rüdiger was offside, but I've not checked it'.
Lack of clinical play?
'Atletico are one of the best teams defensively, not only in Spain. They're very well organised and strong in duels. It's not easy to find space. We had a few attempts from outside the box and we lacked a bit of precision. The problem wasn't in attack, but in defence'.
'We changed the formation because we started with a diamond, with Modrić playing in the centre of midfield and with Bellingham and Rodrygo as the forwards. We didn't play Joselu because we were looking for more control of the ball with the presence of an extra midfielder. Bellingham's position in an attacking sense hasn't changed. It wasn't a problem of who played, it was a problem of defensive frailty that we hadn't had in the first few games. We'd only conceded three goals in six games and in 45 minutes we've conceded three goals. We were weak. It's fair to say that. It wasn't a good night'.
Conceded early goals
'It's something we've already spoken about and we'll continue to talk about it. It's important. We've gone behind early four times and three times we've been able to come back. We came close today, but the third goal ended the game. We did well at the end of the first half, but 3-1 was too much to turn around'.
The defence
'I'm not going to talk about individuals. All I'll say is that we didn't defend well. The team wasn't compact, especially in the first half and Atlético capitalised on that. The three goals were carbon copies. They were able to split the centre backs, who weren't well positioned in the area. We weren't compact for the three goals'.
Camavinga's disallowed goal
'I've not seen it. I was told that Rüdiger was offside, but I've not checked it'.
Lack of clinical play?
'Atletico are one of the best teams defensively, not only in Spain. They're very well organised and strong in duels. It's not easy to find space. We had a few attempts from outside the box and we lacked a bit of precision. The problem wasn't in attack, but in defence'.
'Vinicius can't score in these three games. Rodrygo tried, he was dangerous at times today, but when there's less space it's more difficult for everyone. We've lacked a bit of clinical finishing so far, but we've won six games by scoring goals'.
Tchouameni on
'I was trying to introduce a bit more control in midfield to allow Tchouameni to rest, as he'd played a lot of games also taking into account with the national team.'
Modrić's substitution
'We don't point the finger at anyone, to point the finger at Modrić is a bit too much, I think. He didn't have a good game, like his team-mates. I tried to put more height up front in order to play a bit more with crosses, seeing that we were losing'.
Would you change your approach if you could go back?
'That's a good question. I could have done better, maybe. That's quite clear. When the team doesn't do the right thing it's my responsibility. But I've got broad shoulders, it's not a problem'.
Changes in the formation
'We didn't do well today, but it's not down to the formation. The formation won't change. It's a setback that could provide us with an opportunity to do things better. We're upset and angry, as we always are when we lose. But we've done very well so far and we'll continue to do well'.
Responsibility
'It's my fault'.
Tchouameni on
'I was trying to introduce a bit more control in midfield to allow Tchouameni to rest, as he'd played a lot of games also taking into account with the national team.'
Modrić's substitution
'We don't point the finger at anyone, to point the finger at Modrić is a bit too much, I think. He didn't have a good game, like his team-mates. I tried to put more height up front in order to play a bit more with crosses, seeing that we were losing'.
Would you change your approach if you could go back?
'That's a good question. I could have done better, maybe. That's quite clear. When the team doesn't do the right thing it's my responsibility. But I've got broad shoulders, it's not a problem'.
Changes in the formation
'We didn't do well today, but it's not down to the formation. The formation won't change. It's a setback that could provide us with an opportunity to do things better. We're upset and angry, as we always are when we lose. But we've done very well so far and we'll continue to do well'.
Responsibility
'It's my fault'.