REAL MADRID
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti’s post-match press conference against Almería
The Real Madrid boss analysed the controversial decisions during the game against Almería, which saw Los Blancos complete a comeback.
Real Madrid’s ninth comeback this season was against Almería who took a two-goal lead before Míchel’s team collapsed in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw.
It was a match with a very strong sprinkling of VAR, of controversy, and closed out by a miracle from Dani Carvajal when the full-time whistle was already in the mouth of the referee. Carlo Ancelotti analysed the madness afterwards in the press room and considered that “the three (refereeing) decisions were quite clear”.
What is your assessment of the match?
It was a strange match. We played very badly in the first half, with very little energy. The evaluation I made was wrong, we played with a tired team and we did very badly. Then the team’s character and our stadium made us come back from a complicated match with a totally different second half.
Do you understand Almería’s complaints about the refereeing?
The only thing that could be done was to change the dynamic and bring in fresh players. Some players paid for having completed extra time against Atlético de Madrid. I had to put out a different lineup. In the second half they made a big push to score. I understand Almeria’s complaints. They were decisions reviewed by VAR. I think there were three quite clear decisions.
At half-time, who were you angry with?
With myself. We have to evaluate the players’ fatigue and I don’t think we did it right.
Do you think the referee decisions were fair?
I have seen the actions. The referee is right. The VAR calls him and I think he makes the right decisions.
Can you get anything positive from the first half?
Nothing. We lacked ideas, energy. We started the match very badly. We have to forget it and in the second half, this stadium always gives us that push.
Do you understand the whistles from the crowd?
Yes, you can’t play like that in the first half. They are acceptable. Absolutely.
Pubill said that someone didn’t want us to win at the Bernabéu...
I understand, everyone has their own opinion. Everyone played their own game, but all three decisions were correct.
Are you prepared to hear that Madrid won because of the referee?
I’m ready, I have no problem.
Do you think your management is generating doubts about the goalkeeper?
I don’t think so. They are happy and calm. I don’t usually do it, I did it with Casilla and Diego López and hopefully it will be the same this year.
What did you ask of the players who came on from the bench?
We changed the system. With Joselu and Brahim. Especially with Joselu we tried to play more on the outside and bring Bellingham closer to the penalty area. Vinicius played more inside and that allowed Fran Garcia to move up the flank. Ceballos and Camavinga were also important. They showed they could start.
Are you worried about conceding so many goals in the last few games?
It is a fact that we have to consider. We need to be more solid, more forceful at the back. You don’t always have the energy and strength to come back from two goals down.
How was the half-time talk?
In the 30th minute I started to think about making changes because we lacked energy. I talked to the players to tell them the strategy for the second half. I didn’t get angry. The first person I had to be angry with was myself.
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