What did Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti say after his team’s LaLiga derby defeat to Atlético Madrid?

Real Madrid have officially been knocked off the top of the LaLiga table after two Álvaro Morata headers led Atlético Madrid to all three points in Sunday’s derby at the Civitas Metropolitano. Three crosses from the left led to three headed goals for Diego Simeone’s side, with Antoine Griezmann also getting in on the fact. In his post-match press conference, Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti discussed what went wrong for his side, who found the net through Toni Kroos.

Ancelotti takes the blame for derby loss to Atleti in post-match press conference

How do you explain what happened today? Why did you change system?

The system didn’t change, we started with a rhombus in midfield. But we didn’t start well, we didn’t defend well. And when they went 2-0 up, they played the game they wanted to play. Atleti did things better than us in that sense.”

Are you worried about the team’s lack of concentration?

“It is something that we have talked about and will continue to talk about. Many times we fall behind early on and only in some cases do we come back. Today we were close to doing it, but 3-1 sealed the game for them, it was too much.”

Why did Joselu start as a substitute?

“I wanted to have more control of the ball, which why I started with an extra midfielder. I don’t think the system was the problem, but rather our defensive fragility. That didn’t happen to us in our first few games of the season, because we’d only conceded three goals before today. But today it was a problem. We didn’t defend like we normally do. We were not compact and they took advantage of it.”

What did you think about Camavinga’s disallowed goal (which would have made it 2-2)?

“I was told that Rüdiger was offside, but I haven’t seen it.”

Morata and Griezmann were totally unmarked at all three goals.

“They were carbon copies. The centre-backs weren’t in the right positions in the penalty area.”

Do you think the team is lacking in efficiency in attack?

“The fact that Atleti is one of the best defensive teams in Spain also makes a difference. They are strong in one-against-one battles, it is not easy to find spaces. Maybe there was a lack of efficiency in attack, but the problem today was in defence, not in attack.”

Why did play Kroos and Modric from the start?

“I wanted us to have more control of the ball and to give Tchouaméni a rest.”

How did you feel about taking Modric off at half time?

“We don’t point fingers at anyone. And pointing it at him would be too much. He didn’t play a good game, but neither did his teammates.”

Ancelotti: “I could have done things better”

In hindsight, would you change anything about your approach to the game?

“It’s a good question... I think I could have done things better. Obviously, when the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility. But I am very thick-skinned. No problem. The least I can do is take responsibility.”

How would you respond to people who will accuse you of trying something new out in a derby?

“It’s not something I think about. I don’t think the system was a problem today, because the system will never change. We are sad, we are angry, but we must learn. And we will keep going.”

Whose has to take responsibility for the defeat?

“It’s my fault.”

Are you worried that the team creates a lot of chances without scoring enough goals? Was Vinícius’ absence a factor?

“Vinicíus had no chance of scoring today! It was a tough game for Rodrygo, with such limited space to work in.”

Don’t you think the team was missing a spark in attack?

“I can only reiterate that Atleti defended very well and when they went ahead, they played the game they wanted to play. We tried, we threaded pass between the lines, we attacked... but it wasn’t to be. Atleti going 2-0 up so early on made things too difficult for us.”