Reigning Champions League trophy holders Real Madrid failed to show their best in the surprise loss to Lille and must take the criticism in stride. This was stated by the head coach of the Royal Club Carlo Ancelotti after the unexpected defeat with 0:1 in France.
Lille made a great press and won after Jonathan David's accurate kick from the penalty spot. In this way, Real suffered their first loss in all competitions since January. The record holder of the Champions League honors has three points from two games in the main stage after beating Stuttgart 3:1 at home.
"Everything was bad. We didn't play well with the ball, although the team was quite compact in the first half. It was difficult for us to get the ball back, to make transitions. We tried to be a little more aggressive, but we struggled. So we have to analyze things with a sober head. We certainly need to improve. I am honest with you. The criticisms of today's game are fair, accurate and we have to accept them because that's the way things are. We didn't show a good version in this match", said Ancelotti.
He added that Lille deserved their success regardless of Real's improved performance after the break, when Kylian Mbappe also appeared on the pitch. "It was difficult for us to cope with the intensity of the game, the level of the duels. We could have equalized because we had opportunities at the end, but it wouldn't have been deserved. So we have to take lessons like we did in our last loss, see what we need to improve. I don't think it's very complicated", added the Italian.
Real, who are second in La Liga with 18 points, host third-placed Villarreal on Saturday. | BGNES
