Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti conceded defeat after his team lost 2-5 to Barcelona in the El Clasico Super Cup final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Sunday.
Despite starting under pressure, Madrid counterattacked and scored in the fifth minute thanks to a great run by Kylian Mbappe.
Barcelona, on the other hand, equalized in the 22nd minute through Lamine Yamal before going on to lead 4-1 at halftime thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Alejandro Balde.
In the second half, Raphinha scored Barcelona’s fifth goal in the 48th minute before Wojciech Szczęsny was sent off, giving Madrid a numerical advantage.
Madrid pushed to equalize, but it was too little, too late, as they only managed to get a second goal through Rodrygo.
Post-match reactions
In a post-match conference, Ancelotti admitted that his side was unsettled from kick-off to full-time, adding that Barcelona defended better than his team and deserved to win the final.
“We have to look at the reality, and that is that we did not defend well in the opposition half or with a low block. They scored goals very easily, and we did not work well either collectively or individually because we lost many duels. We are sad and disappointed, and we have to go home with sadness. That is football. Our sadness is that of our fans, but we have no other choice but to look forward and recover the good dynamic we had up to this match,” Ancelotti said.
“The game was not good from the first minute to the last. With one more player, we were not able to find solutions. I am sad about the whole game. I can’t take anything away from it. I only take Mbappé’s good game, who scored a good goal in a good play. We have to forget about the rest and look forward.”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick commended his side for playing as a team to win a record-extending 15th Super Cup.
“At big clubs, the goal is to win titles. And that’s what we’re working towards. We are very happy and proud, but we need to keep showing that we are the best in every game,” Flick said.
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