“That Barça only had 35 percent possession means that we have done well”
MADRID, 2 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was “satisfied” this Thursday with his team’s match against FC Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, for which he reiterated that they “only” have to “repeat” the same match at the Camp Nou to advance to the final of the tournament, at the same time that he warned that this squad “is not the first time” that they must come back from a tie.
“It was a good game, we planned an intense game and we did it. We pressed up. The fact that Barça only has 35 percent means that we have done well. We could have been more successful, but it has been difficult, they were very close “We have put centers, but they are very forceful at the back. We have had a game that gives us confidence for the return, we just have to play the same game in Barcelona,” said the coach at a press conference.
The Italian celebrated that his team “started and finished the game well”, although he lamented the “individual error” by Eduardo Camavinga in Barça’s goal “with a rebound”. “It has affected us. But we have not allowed Barcelona to leave the game and it is a merit. Araujo’s marking of Vinicius has been correct,” he commented on the defense of Carioca during the duel.
“It’s a very solid team, they defend very well, they have a collective commitment, they have advanced pressure, although we have come out well with the ball. They have closed the lines very well, and putting in centers is not the most appropriate thing for us”, he highlighted of the approach of the azulgranas.
However, he highlighted the “control” of the whites, both over FC Barcelona and against Atlético de Madrid on the last day of the League. “That has to give us confidence, you can’t always play a transition game. Not allowing Barça to play the way they want is something good for us”, he highlighted.
Ancelotti acknowledged that Barça “did not deserve to win” in “one of Real Madrid’s best games” defensively. “It can’t leave us emotional consequences. We’re satisfied with the game, you don’t always have the opportunity to control FC Barcelona. We’re aware that you have to come back, but it’s not the first time we’ve come back from a tie”, he recalled.
“If we continue with this intensity, we’ll have opportunities. Barcelona can’t set up such a defensive game at the Camp Nou. Now we’re at a disadvantage, we’re hurt, but we’re very confident for the return leg,” said Ancelotti, who described it as “good in general” the performance of Munuera Montero, despite the moment of “nerves” between Vinicius and De Jong.