in Champions League Ancelotti lets loose after the slap against Arsenal

The Emirates Stadium bore witness to a significant upset in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals as Arsenal delivered a commanding performance to defeat the reigning champions, Real Madrid, by a resounding 3-0 scoreline in the first leg. The manner of the defeat, particularly the capitulation in the second half, left Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti visibly shaken as he faced the media in the post-match press conference. The veteran Italian coach, usually a picture of calm and composure, did not shy away from expressing his disappointment and offering a candid assessment of his team’s humbling loss.

Ancelotti, a seasoned campaigner in the Champions League with a trophy cabinet to prove it, had witnessed his Real Madrid side put in a relatively solid performance in the first half, maintaining organization and largely containing Arsenal’s attacking threats. However, the complexion of the game shifted dramatically after the interval. Arsenal, displaying renewed vigor and tactical nous, managed to unlock the Real Madrid defense through a combination of individual brilliance and set-piece mastery.

The turning point in the match undoubtedly came from the boots of Arsenal’s Declan Rice, who showcased his exceptional dead-ball ability with two magnificent free-kicks that left Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois helpless. These two strikes not only provided Arsenal with a comfortable lead but also seemed to deflate the spirits and disrupt the organization of the Real Madrid side. Adding to the visitors’ woes, Mikel Merino further compounded their misery with a well-taken third goal, leaving Arsenal with a significant three-goal advantage heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

In the post-match press conference, Carlo Ancelotti did not attempt to sugarcoat his assessment of the defeat. His opening statement was direct and unequivocal: “It’s a very tough defeat. We didn’t expect it.” The surprise and disappointment were evident in his tone and demeanor. Reflecting on the game’s trajectory, Ancelotti acknowledged his team’s decent first-half showing, stating, “We played well in the first half, being well organised. Then, the two free kicks cut our legs off. We didn’t know how to react.”

The Italian tactician lamented his team’s inability to respond effectively after conceding the two quick-fire free-kicks. “Usually, we get there, but the last 30 minutes were catastrophic. We will have to go back to that,” Ancelotti conceded, highlighting the significant drop in performance and cohesion in the latter stages of the match.

When questioned about Real Madrid’s chances of staging a comeback in the return leg at their iconic home stadium, Ancelotti offered a realistic but not entirely pessimistic outlook. “The chances are slim, but we will do everything to achieve it. We will see if we are capable,” he stated, acknowledging the difficulty of the task while maintaining a glimmer of hope that his team could produce a memorable turnaround.

Ancelotti did not shy away from taking responsibility for the heavy defeat, answering a direct question about his own accountability with a simple and firm: “Of course. No doubt.” This willingness to accept responsibility is a hallmark of Ancelotti’s leadership and will likely resonate with his players and the Real Madrid fanbase.

Delving deeper into the reasons behind his team’s second-half collapse, Ancelotti struggled to pinpoint a singular explanation. “It’s difficult to explain. We lost our cohesion, our order on the pitch, and the control of the ball,” he admitted, highlighting the multiple facets of Real Madrid’s performance that went awry after Arsenal’s opening goals.

Addressing the question of whether a lack of ambition contributed to the defeat, Ancelotti offered a nuanced response. “It’s complicated to say. There are two balances: one is positive, the other is not. What is certain is that our reaction was very bad,” he stated, acknowledging the initial positive aspects while heavily criticizing the subsequent lack of response.

Ancelotti also touched upon the defensive contribution of his attacking players, admitting it was an area of concern. “Yes, there is a real problem at this level. It’s no longer like previous years. We need to review our organisation to form a more compact block, but today, we didn’t manage it,” he conceded, indicating a potential tactical adjustment needed for future matches.

When directly asked if Arsenal were the superior team on the night, Ancelotti offered a straightforward and honest assessment. “Yes, they were better. We shouldn’t throw everything away, but we have to recognise that it will be very difficult to turn the situation around. They are a very solid team,” he acknowledged, giving credit to Arsenal’s performance while tempering expectations for the return leg.

Despite the daunting challenge ahead, Ancelotti concluded his press conference with a message of hope and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, particularly at the Santiago Bernabéu. “Anything can happen in football. Nobody expected this result. And often, crazy scenarios have occurred at the Santiago Bernabéu,” he stated, clinging to the possibility of another famous Real Madrid comeback in the second leg.