Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti’s Copa del Rey post-match press conference

After Real Madrid’s defeat to FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, head coach Carlo Ancelotti sat down in front of the press to answer questions. He spoke about the high possession his side had, Xavi’s comments on Madrid being favourites and the morale of his team. Here’s everything he had to say:

More than 60% possession, but 0 shots on goal.

It was a good game: intense, pressing high... and Barça had only around 40% of the ball. We did well, but we lacked something extra in the final third. Their defence was very tight and it forced us into playing crosses, where they are very solid. The game went how we wanted and it gives us confidence for the second leg. To get the comeback, we have to do in Barcelona what we did today.

What has happened since the 2-5 against Liverpool?

They’re different games. Barcelona defended with a low block and this made things difficult to attack in transition. We moved forward but couldn’t get in behind. But we also didn’t allow them to attack how they wanted and this is good.

Was it bad luck for the goal? And talk to me about Araújo’s job on Vinicius.

It was an individual error, a counter attack and a deflection - they make you concede. We we didn’t allow them to dominate with the ball and this has merit. Araújo’s marking of Vinicius was done well.

Does this defeat hurt given the absences to the Barça side?

This isn’t going to have emotional side-effects. We are happy with the game, because we controlled the play. But we have to come back and to do that, we have to repeat what we did today.

Did Barcelona deserve to win tonight?

No, that’s quite obvious. They hardly had any chances. I think it was one of our best defensive performances of the season.

What do you need to do better in the second leg?

If we repeat this intensity, we are going to have chances. I don’t think Barcelona are going to repeat the same defensive performance in the Camp Nou that they had tonight.

What did you make of the referee’s performance?

In general, good. In that moment [between Vinicius and De Jong] there was some nervousness, but it’s not an issue.

Xavi has said that Madrid are still the favourites, do you agree?

Well, right now we are at a disadvantage. But we still have confidence and we want to win the tie.

How did you feel seeing Barça play so deep?

It was a bit strange seeing them play that way, but they were very solid and they have a lot of collective effort. They closed all the lines well. Attacking them through crosses isn’t the best thing to do, as I said before. But they forced us to do so.

How do you see the team in terms of morale?

Hurt after the result, but with a lot of confidence for the return leg.

How do you judge the game?

We played well, we took Barça to a place they didn’t want to go, but we weren’t decisive in the final third. The defeat hurts. But if we do the same again in the second game, we have the chance to go through.

It was a very defensive Barcelona side.

It was hard to find space, because they were playing very tightly. I don’t have anything to regret. In fact, I’m very happy and I’m excited to do the same again in the second leg.

Have you missed an opportunity?

We played the game we had to. Pressing, playing with intensity. We lacked the scoring touch. They didn’t do anything to score; they were lucky with a deflection. There’s 90 minutes to go.

Who is the favourite?

They go into the next game with the win, but we have all the confidence in the world to win the tie.