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Carlo Ancelotti warns Real Madrid 'we're not going to win' against Atletico with repeat of Real Betis performance
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Published 01/03/2025 at 22:57 GMT
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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti watched his side take the lead after just 10 minutes at Real Betis on Saturday night, only to see the home side deal a blow to Madrid's Liga hopes with a 2-1 comeback victory. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ancelotti warned that another poor showing would cost them in their UEFA Champions League game on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid.
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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti warned his team that unless they improve upon their defeat against Real Betis "we’re not going to win" against Atletico Madrid.
The two sides meet in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Madrid lost 2-1 away from home to Betis on Saturday night, a result that left them behind both Barcelona and Atletico in the Liga title chase.
Speaking to the press, Ancelotti reflected: "It was a poor game. We started well, but then we couldn't keep up the initial tempo in terms of attitude and commitment, and we lost control of the game against a team that played better and deserved the win.
"It's a big blow. We have to react. Losing at this stage of the season is hard, because every team competes, and we didn't do well in this game."
Ancelotti's men took the lead through Brahim Diaz after just 10 minutes, but Johnny Cardoso levelled after 34 minutes, and former Real Madrid star Isco grabbed the winner from the spot with a 54th-minute penalty.
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Asked if the players thought 1-0 was a sufficient lead, Ancelotti answered: "I'm not in the players' heads. We weren't able to maintain the good position on the pitch in the first 20 minutes. We lost 27 balls in the first half, too many losses, and Betis got back into the game."
Ancelotti said that a similar performance would cost them in the upcoming European tie against their city rivals, adding: "If we play like that, we're not going to win on Tuesday, that's pretty clear. Hopefully, this match will serve as a wake-up call, a lesson. It seemed that the team was much more organised and compact in recent times, but today we weren't able to do that like in previous games."
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The Italian stated that striker Kylian Mbappe’s performance was hampered by a tooth problem, with the France international taken off before the end of the match.
He explained: "He had a problem with his tooth and hasn't trained much. He wasn't at his best. So, to avoid problems, I chose to take him off and bring on Endrick, who is in good form."
Real Madrid host Atletico on Tuesday, before the away leg the following Wednesday.
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