Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti reflected on his team’s 2-1 defeat to Valencia on Saturday, expressing frustration over missed opportunities.
Valencia delivered a major upset by defeating the title-chasing Madrid side at the Santiago Bernabéu, with a standout performance from Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The result, which marked Valencia’s first away win in LaLiga this season, handed leaders Barcelona a significant boost in the title race.
Ancelotti admitted that LaLiga’s title race had become an uphill battle for Real Madrid, but he was determined not to let the setback affect their aspirations in the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
“We’ve lost the chance to fight for the league with more force, but the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona and the clash with Arsenal will be very different,” Ancelotti stated after the match. “Both Arsenal and Barcelona will attack more, and the dynamics of the game will change. We must be sharper defensively and more effective in attack, but above all, we cannot afford to lose focus.”
Ancelotti acknowledged his team’s defensive vulnerabilities, noting that it has been relatively easy for opponents to score against Madrid in recent games. However, he insisted there was no use dwelling on the defeat, emphasizing the importance of moving forward.
“This defeat against Valencia wasn’t deserved. Could we have done better? Of course. But it wasn’t a question of attitude. We deserved to win, but it came down to a few small details. Now, we need to forget about it and focus on Arsenal,” he said.
In a difficult situation, Ancelotti was also left with uncertainty about who would start in goal for Tuesday’s critical match, as both Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin are sidelined with injuries. This forced him to rely on 19-year-old academy goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez for the Valencia match.
With the Champions League quarter-final just around the corner, Ancelotti’s message to his players was clear: focus, resilience, and a stronger showing are crucial as they prepare to face Arsenal in a high-stakes encounter that could shape the rest of their season.
