Real Madrid suffered a 4-0 loss against El Classico rivals Barcelona and head coach Carlos Ancelotti admitted they were clinical as they had their chances but could not grab them. After a goalless first half, Barcelona’s experienced striker Robert Lewandowski scored a brace whereas Lamine Yamal continued to impress, scoring in the 77th minute.
Raphinha then found the back of the net in the 84th minute to confirm his team’s three points. Meanwhile, Los Blancos took four shots on target but could not capitalize on their chances.
“Until the goal, it was an even game,” Ancelotti said in the press conference. “We had chances and could have scored, but we weren’t clinical. When they score, it saps some energy from you and it becomes another game. They did a lot of damage on the counter.
“I liked the first half, we have to follow that line. We don’t have to throw everything away, we just have to forget the last 30 minutes. We can’t give up, we just have to learn. We came out of the last defeat well against Atlético Madrid last season and we have to do the same. I am certain we will do better.”
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe made his El Classico debut but it was a forgettable night for the French striker. Mbappe’s two goals were overruled due to offside and he could not take his chances. Overall, Mbappe was offside on eight occasions, which is the joint-most in a La Liga game in the last 15 seasons.
“We took risks with his position,” Ancelotti added of Mbappé’s performance. “They have a high line and due to fine margins we have not been able to take advantage of it. He has also had three or four chances and has not taken them when we need a little more.
“The result doesn’t reflect what happened on pitch. Barça go ahead and then the confidence that came from that changed the game. We took risks and they’re a team in form who were dangerous on the break. The defeat worries me, but we have to pick ourselves up quickly. We have to keep fighting. We’re not going to be that far away this season from what we did last season.”
Real Madrid will next take on Valencia on Saturday.
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