Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his disappointment in his team’s performance following their heavy 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The two archrivals clashed on the neutral ground of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the Liga champions making a strong comeback after Kylian Mbappe had given Real Madrid the lead early in the match. Despite Mbappe’s brilliant solo goal, Barcelona’s rapid response and dominant play left Real Madrid with no chance to recover, as they suffered an embarrassing loss.
Real Madrid’s Early Promise Turned Sour
The match began with a flourish for Real Madrid as Mbappe opened the scoring just five minutes into the game. The French forward, who had joined from Paris Saint-Germain, displayed his exceptional ability with a dazzling solo run that culminated in a clinical finish past Barcelona’s goalkeeper. The goal gave the Spanish giants a 1-0 lead, and it seemed like they were in control. However, Barcelona responded swiftly, exploiting Real Madrid’s defensive frailties. By halftime, they had turned the game on its head, leading 4-1.
Despite going down by such a wide margin, Real Madrid’s hopes of a second-half recovery were dashed when Wojciech Szczesny was shown a red card, reducing the team to 10 men. Barcelona capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Raphinha adding a fifth goal shortly after the break. Real Madrid struggled to cope with the pressure, and a late consolation goal from Rodrygo was all they could muster.
Ancelotti’s Criticism of Defensive Weaknesses
In his post-match interview, Ancelotti did not shy away from criticizing his team’s performance, especially their defensive lapses. He emphasized that Real Madrid’s failure to defend properly was a key factor in the heavy loss.
“We have to look at the reality. We didn’t defend well,” Ancelotti said. “We tried to press high and defend with a low block. They scored the goals easily, and we didn’t work hard, collectively or individually.”
The veteran coach also lamented the team’s inability to win crucial duels and regain possession in key areas of the pitch. Ancelotti made it clear that the defeat left him deeply disappointed, both for the players and the fans who had traveled to Jeddah in the hopes of witnessing a victory.
“We lost a lot of duels. That makes us sad and disappointed, but that’s football,” Ancelotti added. “We have to take that sadness home. I understand the sadness of our fans. We feel that, but we have to look forward, and prepare for the next game, and recover the good form we’d been in.”
Looking Ahead: A Focus on Improving Defending
Ancelotti did not single out any particular player for criticism, choosing instead to focus on the team’s collective shortcomings. He acknowledged that the entire squad had failed to defend well and that improvements were needed in their overall defensive structure.
“I won’t name anyone; I’m talking about the whole team,” Ancelotti explained. “We didn’t defend well, we weren’t compact, and we have to defend better.”
Even with an extra player on the field following Szczesny’s red card, Real Madrid was unable to capitalize on the advantage. Ancelotti pointed out that the team’s inability to find solutions during that period was another aspect that frustrated him.
“We had an extra man and we couldn’t find solutions,” he continued. “But that doesn’t hurt more, I’m sad about the game as a whole.”
Praise for Kylian Mbappe’s Performance
While the overall team performance left much to be desired, Ancelotti was quick to praise Kylian Mbappe for his individual brilliance. The French forward’s goal was a moment of quality that stood out amidst a sea of mistakes by his teammates. Ancelotti was full of praise for Mbappe’s early strike, calling it a fantastic piece of skill.
“I’d focus on Mbappe, who had a very good game,” said Ancelotti. “It was a great move to score the goal. But the rest we should forget about, and look forward.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Mbappe’s goal provided a glimmer of hope for Real Madrid fans, showing that the club’s new signing can deliver in key moments. It also highlighted why the club had invested heavily in the forward, whose presence was expected to help elevate the team in big matches like this one.
Luka Modric’s Reflection on the Defeat
Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric also expressed his disappointment following the loss. The Croatian midfielder, a key figure in the team’s success in recent years, acknowledged the gravity of the defeat but also stressed that it was important to keep a long-term perspective on the season.
“We’re sorry to the fans. We have to keep going, stay united, there’s a lot of season left,” Modric said. “You can’t always win. If you have to lose a trophy, we’d prefer it to be this one.”
Modric’s comments reflect the importance of maintaining a positive mindset despite a painful defeat. He acknowledged that Barcelona deserved the win on the day, conceding that they had simply played better. The midfielder also urged the team to learn from their mistakes and improve as the season progresses.
“We have to congratulate Barcelona, they played a very good game, they were better and that’s all,” Modric added. “We have to improve and correct our mistakes.”
Looking Ahead to the Copa del Rey
Real Madrid’s focus now shifts to their upcoming Copa del Rey clash against Celta Vigo in the round of 16. Ancelotti’s side will be keen to bounce back from the disappointing defeat and get their season back on track. The Italian manager will undoubtedly be looking for a stronger defensive performance in the Copa del Rey as the team looks to continue its pursuit of silverware this season.
Conclusion: A Setback, But Not the End
While the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona was a setback for Real Madrid, it is far from the end of their season. Ancelotti and his team must now regroup, learn from their mistakes, and focus on the challenges ahead. The defeat highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in defense, but it also showcased the talent of players like Mbappe, who can turn a game with a moment of brilliance. As Real Madrid turns its attention to the Copa del Rey and La Liga, they will need to bounce back quickly to keep their trophy hopes alive.
With a long season ahead, Ancelotti and his players know that their performance in Jeddah must be quickly forgotten, and they must focus on returning to their best form as they aim for more silverware.
