Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he is very concerned about the Spanish and European champions’ recent slump.
The UEFA Champions League holders fell to a second successive defeat on Tuesday, as they lost 3-1 to AC Milan in the competition, days after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in LaLiga.
Tuesday night’s result makes it a difficult task for the 14-time champions to secure automatic qualification to the last 16 of the competition, as they have now only won 50% of their league phase matches.
It is also a result that confirms Real Madrid’s tough start to the season, and speaking post-match (via Diario AS), Ancelotti admitted that he is concerned about his side’s current situation.
“We have to be worried, because in the last few games the team has not been in good shape. We lack solidity. It’s just that we don’t defend well, and the team is not compact. We have to be more compact, more orderly,” the Italian said.
Ancelotti also confirmed that he withdrew Federico Valverde at half-time because of injury, not for tactical reasons.
“Valverde was not 100%, he had discomfort in his back. Yesterday he trained well, but he felt that pain in the first half and we decided to substitute him,” he explained.
Real Madrid return to action in four days’ time against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu, and winning that is an absolute must as they seek to close the gap on bitter rivals Barcelona, who are nine points clear at the top, having played one more game.
