Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his belief that his team deserved to win in their recent match against Atletico Madrid. The two Spanish capital giants faced each other in a La Liga clash at the Bernabeu, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The match started with a surprising turn of events as Vinicius Jr. was replaced by Brahim Diaz just four minutes before kick-off. However, this unexpected change didn't hinder Real Madrid's performance, as Diaz scored the opening goal in the first half. The home team seemed poised to secure three points and the victory.
Deep into stoppage time, though, Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente shocked the home crowd with a surprise header that resulted in an equalizing goal. Atletico's head coach, Diego Simeone, celebrated passionately on the sideline. Despite the disappointment of conceding late in the game, Ancelotti still felt his team deserved to win.
In his post-match comments, the Italian coach stated that his team was 'not satisfied' with the draw, as they believed they had done enough to secure all three points. Ancelotti pointed out that his team had won several matches in the last minutes and felt confident in their abilities. He emphasized that his squad had performed well throughout the game, controlling the proceedings effectively.
Reflecting on the overall match, Ancelotti acknowledged that conceding a goal in stoppage time was unfortunate. He also noted that the team lacked height, which made defending against aerial threats challenging. However, despite these setbacks, Ancelotti reiterated his belief that Real Madrid deserved the win and couldn't blame themselves for anything.
Looking ahead, Ancelotti expressed his confidence in the team's ability to bounce back. He assured supporters that the team is in good shape, playing excellent football, and that they have a strong squad with everyone fully committed. Ancelotti remains optimistic about the future and highlighted the importance of both quality and commitment in achieving success.
Addressing questions about the squad's strength, Ancelotti stated that while he has had various talented teams throughout his successful managerial career - including four Champions League-winning sides - the current Real Madrid squad stands out due to their exceptional commitment. The Italian coach expressed his satisfaction with the contributions of every player and emphasized the importance of commitment along with quality.
Despite injuries to key players such as Toni Rudiger, Eder Militao, and David Alaba, Ancelotti remains confident and assured fans that these players will return for the next game. Looking forward to the upcoming match against Girona, the coach expressed his optimism that Real Madrid can extend their lead in the league table by securing a victory.
Ultimately, although Real Madrid couldn't claim a win against Atletico Madrid, Ancelotti's belief in his team's abilities and their strong performance gives supporters hope for future success. With a determined and committed squad, the coach remains optimistic about the team's prospects and the quality of football they can produce. The draw serves as a reminder that every point in the highly competitive La Liga race is crucial, and Real Madrid will look to capitalize on opportunities in the remaining matches.