Carlo Ancelotti Expresses Sadness Over Spanish Super Cup Loss Against Barcelona

Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said he is saddened over how his team overwhelmingly lost 5-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final held on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Despite the heavy loss, Carlo Ancelotti took a moment to shine a spotlight on forward Kylian Mbappe, who delivered a standout performance amidst the chaos.

Ancelotti reflected on the match, noting his sadness regarding the outcome, particularly after Real Madrid initially took an early lead in the 5th minute thanks to Mbappe’s impressive strike.

The French international’s goal not only energized the team but also illustrated his capabilities as a former Paris Saint-Germain star making his mark with the Los Blancos. Moreover, Mbappe was instrumental in earning a penalty for his team during the game, further showcasing his influence on the pitch.

However, the momentum quickly shifted as Barcelona responded forcefully. Young talent Lamine Yamal leveled the score for Barca in the 22nd minute, igniting a wave of goals from the Catalan side.

Robert Lewandowski followed suit, capitalizing on defensive lapses from Real Madrid, while Raphinha and Alejandro Balde each added to the tally, constructing a staggering 4-1 lead for Barcelona by halftime. Raphinha secured the fifth goal immediately after the break, cementing their dominance in the match.

Rodrygo managed to find the back of the net for Real Madrid, pulling one goal back, yet the damage was already done as the match concluded with a disappointing 5-2 scoreline for Ancelotti’s squad.

In his post-match interview, Ancelotti lamented the lack of defensive cohesion of his team, stating, “The game was not good from the first minute to the last. With an extra man, we were not able to find solutions. I’m sad about the game as a whole. I can’t take anything away from it except Mbappé’s performance, who scored a great goal in a good move. We have to forget about the rest and look forward.”

The Real Madrid boss emphasized the importance of improving their defensive strategy, asserting that his side struggled both in high-pressure situations and when set up in a low block.

“They scored goals very easily, and we didn’t work well either collectively or individually because we lost a lot of duels,” Ancelotti acknowledged.

This loss serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for Real Madrid as they aim to bounce back and regain their form in the subsequent matches.