Carlo Ancelotti admitted Real Madrid were punished for poor defending in their 4-3 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday, a result that effectively ended their La Liga title hopes.
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, but Barcelona struck four times through Raphinha (2), Eric Garcia and Lamine Yamal to seal a fourth successive Clasico win this season.
“In a game at this level, you have to defend and attack well,” Ancelotti said. “We attacked well and created chances, but we made some obvious mistakes that cost us.”
Madrid led 2-0 after 14 minutes, but Barcelona turned the match around with three goals before half-time, exposing their vulnerability at the back.
Ancelotti pointed to absentees in defence as a key factor. “We could have defended better in the first 30 minutes,” he added. “But we must not forget we were missing five defenders.”
Despite the loss, the manager refused to question the effort of his players.
“It was a competitive, hard-fought and evenly matched game until the last second,” he said. “We had the chance to make it 4-4 twice. I saw two great teams and I have nothing to criticise in terms of attitude or commitment.”
Vinicius Junior was forced off in the first half with an ankle problem, while Rodrygo was left out altogether due to illness.
“Vinicius had a sprained ankle,” Ancelotti explained. “He tried to carry on, but it was bothering him. As for Rodrygo, he had recovered but wasn’t feeling well. There was no point risking him for five minutes.”
The defeat leaves Barcelona seven points clear at the top of La Liga with only three games remaining, meaning Madrid’s title challenge is now all but over.
When asked if this was his last Clasico, Ancelotti replied, “It’s the last one of the season. We have three games left, and we have to try to win all three.”
Summing up Madrid’s shortcomings in the four Clasico defeats this season, the Italian said bluntly: “We had to defend better.
“Today, it was quite obvious that we defended badly. We gifted them some chances, and they punished us.”
Barcelona now appear set to seal the double, while Madrid are left reflecting on a season where they came up short against their fiercest rivals.
