Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said Barcelona did not deserve to win the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg after the Catalan outfit inflicted a defeat on Los Blancos.
Real Madrid and Barcelona squared off at Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, and the Catalan outfit secured a 1-0 win over the home side. An own goal conceded by Eder Militao in the first half was the only goal of the game.
Real Madrid dominated possession in this Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, but they were far from their best in the attack. Carlo Ancelotti’s men failed to register at least one shot on target in the game as Barcelona defended well.
Speaking after the match, Carlo Ancelotti claimed that Barcelona did not deserve to win the game. Ancelotti also said he was satisfied with Real Madrid’s performance in the game.
Carlo Ancelotti ‘satisfied’ with Real Madrid’s performance in 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in Copa del Rey
“Barcelona didn’t deserve to win and that’s obvious. This defeat will not cause any after-effects because we are satisfied with our performance. It’s very difficult to control the game against Barcelona as we did today,” Carlo Ancelotti said [via Madrid Universal] on the game’s result.
Carlo Ancelotti also stressed that Real Madrid would go into the second leg of this Copa del Rey tie confidently.
He said: “We are aware that we have to come back, but it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve come from behind in a tie. We’re hurt by the result, but we will go into the second leg confidently.”
Barcelona put on an imperious defensive display against Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti said it was strange to see Barcelona play the way they did.
“It was strange to see Barcelona play like that. They are very solid at the back and haven’t conceded many goals,” Carlo Ancelotti said. He added: “They defend very well and are committed to their duties. They closed their lines brilliantly, crossing the ball into the box isn’t what we want to be doing.“
Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid will have the opportunity to turn the tie around if they maintain their intensity of the first leg in the second leg too.
“If we replicate that intensity, we’ll have the chance to turn the tie around. I doubt that Barcelona will set up quite so defensively at Camp Nou. We started and finished the game well,” the Real Madrid manager said.
