Following a disheartening 2-1 defeat at the hands of Valencia, Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his concerns about the ongoing La Liga title race. The unexpected loss, which marked Valencia’s first victory at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, poses challenges for Madrid’s pursuit of their arch-rivals, Barcelona, who now have the potential to stretch their lead even further.
Valencia stunned the reigning champions with a late header from Hugo Duro in stoppage time, which ultimately sealed Madrid’s fate. This defeat allowed Barcelona to gain crucial ground, prompting Ancelotti to acknowledge the increased difficulty in their quest for the coveted league title. He stated, “It’s more difficult to fight for La Liga now,” urging his squad to maintain focus and continue striving for success despite the setback.
The Italian coach highlighted the significance of small details in the match that contributed to the loss. Ancelotti recalled the missed penalty by Vinicius Junior in the early stages of the game, which could have shifted the momentum in favor of the home team. Additionally, he referenced the pivotal moments, such as the disallowed goal and the resulting set piece, that ultimately altered the match’s dynamic. While he commended Valencia’s resilience and execution, he maintained that Real Madrid had deserved a better outcome.
In a match filled with twists and turns, it was Mouctar Diakhaby who initially put Valencia ahead in the 15th minute. This goal came shortly after Vinicius’s unsuccessful spot kick, which continued to add pressure on the young Brazilian. Despite leveling the score in the latter half, Madrid’s hopes were dashed when Duro scored the decisive goal, leaving them in frustration. Ancelotti lamented the lost opportunity to put forth a stronger title challenge and prepared his team for a crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal on April 8.
As Madrid gears up for the clash with the Gunners, Ancelotti highlighted the need for a more solid approach in defense. The manager recognized the challenges posed by Arsenal’s attacking play and reiterated that effectiveness in front of goal would be pivotal for success in upcoming matches. Following the Arsenal encounter, Los Blancos will return to league action against Alaves, a match in which Ancelotti will be suspended due to the yellow card he received during the Valencia game.
Amidst the team’s struggles, there are growing concerns regarding the club’s penalty-taking woes. The match against Valencia marked the fifth missed penalty this season, ranking as the club’s highest number of missed penalties in a single campaign since 2013/14, according to the BBC. Ancelotti remarked on the difficulties his players have encountered this season with set pieces, referencing misses from key players like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, alongside Vinicius’s recent failures.
While it remains uncertain who will take over penalty duties, Ancelotti indicated that a reassessment might be necessary. The role of penalty takers has been a point of contention, and there is speculation around Mbappe potentially becoming the primary choice for such crucial moments. The manager reassured fans regarding Vinicius’s commitment, stating, “Vinicius is focused on what he’s doing. He may do it well or poorly, but he always gives his all.”
As the Real Madrid saga unfolds, the team’s focus must now shift towards their immediate challenges in both La Liga and the Champions League, with hopes of overcoming recent hurdles and regaining momentum in their pursuit of glory. Each match presents an opportunity for redemption, and as Ancelotti emphasizes, the fight must continue until the very last game.