Real Madrid News
Ancelotti makes Barcelona claim after Real Madrid lose El Clasico: “Didn’t deserve to win”
Against all odds, Barcelona managed to pull off a 1-0 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday night. Los Blancos were the favourites heading into the Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg clash but failed to create much threat in front of the goal.
Barcelona did not deserve the win but took their chances when the hosts erred. Now, the Merengues have a mountain to climb at Spotify Camp Nou and must stun the league leaders at home if they are to qualify.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media after his team’s defeat in El Clasico and detailed a plethora of topics including who was the favourite to qualify. Madrid Universal brings you the snippets from the Italian tactician’s press conference.
On the result: “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.”
On his confidence over a comeback: “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.”
On his team’s performance: “It was a good game. We played an intense game, with a lot of pressure up front. The fact that they had 34% possession means that we did well in this aspect, but their defensive line was very tight.”
On their gameplan: “We put in a lot of crosses, but they are strong in the air. It’s the game we wanted to play and it gives us confidence for the second leg. It’s the first 90 minutes and we just have to repeat this aspect of dominance for the game in Barcelona”.
On the few chances created: “We didn’t have a great many chances, but defensively, playing at a fast pace, it was one of Madrid’s best games. Barcelona defended very deep and we had difficulties in our transitional play.”
On controlling the game: “We controlled well, but you can’t always play a transition game. We didn’t allow Barcelona to play the way they wanted to play and that’s good for us. We have to repeat this for the second leg.”
On the second leg: “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.”
On the opponents’ goal: “They scored against us due to an individual mistake and a counter, a rebound. That affected the team a bit. We didn’t allow Barcelona to keep the ball at any time in the game and that’s not without merit.”
On Barcelona’s performance: “It was strange to see Barcelona play like that. They are very solid at the back and haven’t conceded many goals. 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.”
On who was the favourite to advance: “We’re behind but we feel confident we can turn it around.”
On the referee: “Overall he had a good game but there was a spell when things got a little bit difficult for him.”
Source: Real Madrid official website
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender takes major step towards comeback; set for return after international break
Real Madrid are finally beginning to see a clear path back for Eder Militao, with the defender now in the final phase of his rehabilitation and increasingly expected to return after the next international break.
Militao has been sidelined since suffering a tear to the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his left leg during the meeting with Alaves last April.
The injury required surgery, but his recovery has now reached a stage where his return can be discussed in more concrete terms.
Militao steps up rehabilitation at Valdebebas
While Real Madrid completed their preparations for Tuesday night’s trip to Elche, Militao was working separately from the main group at the Valdebebas Training Centre.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian defender carried out specific exercises with the club’s rehabilitation staff and physiotherapists on pitches 1 and 2.
The work represents another step in a recovery process that has kept him away from competitive action for several months.
Mind you, Militao will not be involved against Elche, but the latest signs are considerably more encouraging for what comes next.
Return now expected after international break
The timeline surrounding Militao’s comeback is finally becoming clearer. Provided his recovery continues at its current pace, Real Madrid expect the centre-back to be available to Mourinho once the international break is over.
That break is scheduled to take place from the end of September into the first week of October, meaning Militao could be back by mid-October at the latest.
For a defender who has endured another significant spell on the sidelines, simply having a defined target gives an important moment in his rehabilitation.
Real Madrid still missing players
Militao’s progress is particularly welcome because Real Madrid continue to deal with several absences in the squad.
On that note, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy remain on the injury list and are not expected to return as quickly as Militao.
Both these players are therefore ruled out of the Elche fixture, leaving Mourinho without several established options.
Beyond Elche, though, Militao’s return offers Real Madrid something far more valuable: another experienced defensive option for the demanding weeks ahead.
After surgery and months of rehabilitation, the Brazilian is now entering the final stretch, and if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could have their defender back in the squad around the middle of October.
