Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has provided an explanation for his team’s 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Los Blancos in the 5th minute at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
However, Barcelona quickly turned the game around. Lamine Yamal equalized in the 22nd minute, and goals from Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde followed, giving the Blaugrana a commanding 4-1 lead by halftime.
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In the second half, Raphinha added a fifth goal for Barcelona after Real Madrid goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny was sent off for fouling Mbappé in the 56th minute. Rodrygo managed to pull one back for Madrid, but the match ended decisively in Barcelona’s favor.
Speaking to the media after the game, Ancelotti admitted his side struggled defensively against the Catalans.
“We have to look at the reality, and that is we did not defend well, either in the opposition half or with the low block,” Ancelotti said.
“They scored goals too easily, and we didn’t perform well collectively or individually because we lost many duels.
“We are sad and disappointed, and we’ll take that sadness home with us. That’s football.”