Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that it would be “difficult” for his team to defend their title in La Liga after suffering a defeat against Valencia against Valencia on Saturday.
The Capital Club wasted the chance to take the lead against its fighting visitors when Vinicius Junior saved a tame punishment in the first half. Madrid quickly fell back to Mouctar Diakhaby’s header before Vinicius only earned a redemption with a 50th minute equalizer, only so that Hugo Duro grabbed all three points during death.
“It is much more difficult to fight for La League,” Ancelotti told the assembled media after the 2-1 Bernabeu defeat. “But we have the idea of going well by the end of the season because we still have options, albeit much less after this game.”
Barcelona also reduced points on Saturday and played a 1-1 draw against high-flying Real Betis at home, but four free of Madrid on the summit of La Liga with only eight remaining games.
The defending Spanish champions were unusually porous this season. The Ancelotti team is on track to admit an average of more than one goal per game since they took third place during the 2018/19 campaign. Madrid surprisingly prompted this form to concentrate on a defensive revision this summer.
With a view to the excited quarter -finals of the Champions League against Arsenal – the first leg that takes place on Tuesday evening in London, said Ancelotti:
Madrid is not dismissed. The record European champion will play eight games in April alone and end the month with a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. In May, the two clubs in Montjuic are fighting again for an almighty league game that could decide the fate of the La Liga.