Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid manager said it is difficult for him to understand how a team that plays so well in the second half can play so badly in the first half after the Los Blancos came from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
The city rivals squared off in the quarter-final of Copa del Rey, and it was Atletico Madrid who opened the scoring in the match. Alvaro Morata sent Atletico Madrid ahead in the 19th minute of the match as Real Madrid headed into the interval break trailing by a goal.
Real Madrid would, however, turn things around later in the game. Rodrygo equalized for Real Madrid in the 79th minute, and after the two sides remained locked in a draw at the end of the normal time, the game went into extra time.
Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid the lead in the 103rd minute of the match before Vinicius Jr sealed Los Blancos’ victory with a goal in the 120+1st minute.
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Carlo Ancelotti on what changed at half-time in the win over Atletico Madrid
Speaking after the match, Carlo Ancelotti suggested Real Madrid have to begin the game better than they do. He said it is difficult to understand how Real Madrid can play so well in the second-half play so badly in the first half.
“I was very angry against Villarreal at half-time, but not today. The team didn’t play well in the first half, but we had the resources to improve. I changed Luka’s position by putting him higher up, but more than a change of strategy it was a mental change after the break,” Carlo Ancelotti said [via Madrid Universal] when asked what changed at half-time.
“The changes gave us more energy and quality up front. It’s very difficult to understand how a team plays so badly in the first half and so well in the second. It’s difficult to explain.”
This was the second consecutive Copa del Rey game that Real Madrid came from behind to secure a victory. Los Blancos had also come from behind to defeat Villarreal in the round of 16 of Copa del Rey.
Against Villarreal, Real Madrid found themselves trailing the game by two goals. However, they pulled off a stunning comeback in the second half to register a 3-2 win.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad in La Liga in their next match. The game between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad kicks off at 1:30 am on January 30.
