Real Madrid suffered a devastating 4-3 away defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico, severely damaging their championship aspirations for the season. The thrilling contest showcased offensive brilliance from both sides, but defensive lapses proved costly for the Madrid outfit.
Following the match, Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti offered his assessment of the game. "In a match of this caliber, it's essential to both defend and attack effectively. We attacked well, but during a 30-minute stretch, we made defensive errors that ultimately cost us the game," Ancelotti explained. "We must remember that we were missing five defenders."
The Italian tactician remained positive about his team's performance despite the result. "We had two opportunities to make it 4-4. We stayed competitive until the final whistle," he added. "I witnessed a game between two great teams – there were two great teams on the field. I cannot fault my players' attitude or commitment."
According to Statbet analysis, this result significantly impacts the title race, with Madrid's defensive statistics showing a concerning trend in high-stakes matches this season.
Real Madrid will look to bounce back in their next fixture against Mallorca, scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, where they'll aim to maintain mathematical hope in the championship race despite this setback in Catalonia.