Real Madrid coach Ancelotti on the Clásico loss to Barcelona

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach, appeared before the media after the defeat to Barcelona in the Clásico in LaLiga at the Camp Nou, which leaves the title basically in the hands of Barcelona barring some unprecedented collapse: they have a 12-point advantage with 12 games to go to the end of the season.

Ancelotti had this to say:

How do you analyze the game?

I analyze it from the view that we played a good game, we deserved to win, the game was won. Then there is the question of the goal we had that was chalked off. We tried everything at the end, we lost a bit of composure and they scored. The game was very good, we’re leaving with the confidence that we can finish the season well.

Possession was pretty even...

They had control [of the match], we did too, we were in it until the end. It comes down to small details, like this type of match, but we were convinced we had it won.

You have your doubts about Asensio’s disallowed goal?

Do you think it was offside? Yes, yes... you have to accept it. But I still have my doubts. No doubt it’s nothing. We have the right to have that doubt.

Madrid went up the left a lot...

It was the approach we made, to leave the right wing freer and force the attack more on the left. We were effective on the counter at the end. The changes also gave the team momentum. We took risks, and it just didn’t quite work out for us.

Is the League over?

We are going to fight until the end, we’re behind, we’re leaving the game sad, but we’re also good because the team has played well. We are going to fight in every competition, to the maximum. The only concern we have is trying to play this way. If we play like this, we’ll win something, for sure.

Carlo Ancelotti press conference

And here are Real Madrid coach’s answers in the press conference

How can the collapse of Madrid in the league be explained?

They have had more continuity than us.

Is the league over? And how do you explain the changes?

We are at more of a disadvantage than before and it is even more difficult, but we will fight until the last game. The formation hasn’t changed with the changes, only individual characteristics: cards, fatigue... this game was in the bag because we scored early, but...

Do you regret not making the changes earlier?

The first half had been very good, so it would have been mad [at that point]. I made the change in the 60th minute when it was necessary.

How is the dressing room?

Sad, but proud of the game. We have to keep fighting.

It took 15 minutes to make the triple substitution. Why didn’t you make them earlier?

Because making five changes in the 60th minute seemed too much to me. I looked for something more offensive at the end. It was a complete performance and we didn’t win because... there was an offside that we still have doubts about. We’re going back to Madrid with that.

Will this leave doubts in the locker room?

We had them after the Super Cup, not today. We were playing at a difficult venue and we did very well. We didn’t deserve to lose.

What do you think of the offside lines?

In the World Cup with the semi-automatic lines, everything seemed clearer. Yes, I still have my doubts.

You said that Barcelona has had more continuity than you, why do you say that?

It was difficult for us in January... because after the World Cup, it was difficult to get our conditioning back. But we will finish the season well. Today the game was good, with a good plan, good substitutions... it was good. We could have won.

So, can you win the league with a 12-point advantage?

We will fight.