Despite Real Madrid's Copa del Rey defeat at the hands of Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti was surpisingly full of praise for the team's performance.
Analysing the game, the Italian stated: “I think it’s obvious that Barca didn’t deserve to win. I think it was one of our best matches defensively.
We had the performance that we wanted, but not the result. We were intense, pressing high up the pitch and leaving Barcelona with little possession. We could have done better in the final third, but it was hard because Barcelona’s two lines were very tight together.
It was a little bit strange to see them play like this, but they did well defensively. We tried to cross, but they were strong in the air. We started and finished the match well, but there was the individual mistake and the unlucky bounce that saw them score.We just need to repeat this performance in Barcelona.
If we also have this intensity in the second leg I think we’ll have a chance, as I don’t think Barcelona can defend that well again. It’s just the first leg of a two-legged tie. The players are confident for the second leg.”
The second leg will be played at Camp Nou on April 5.
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