Real Madrid’s Ancelotti Post FC Barcelona Defeat: ‘Let’s Not Go Crazy’

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said “let’s not go crazy” after his team slumped to its second consecutive preseason defeat upon losing to bitter rivals FC Barcelona on Saturday.

In a rain-soaked MetLife Stadium, Barca came out winners thanks to a Pau Victor double that sealed a 2-1 victory for the Catalans.

La Liga and Champions League holder Madrid has yet to taste victory on its tour of the United States, but don’t look to an ever-cool Ancelotti to get his feathers ruffled over that.

“Let’s not go crazy. They are preseason games, we are missing eight players…,” he said in a press conference following El Clasico. “The result is not as important for us as getting the players in good shape.”

The Italian stressed that “the objective now is to give minutes and get the players who return in shape”.

“We are not thinking about the tactical issue or other things, just putting the players who are working now in a good condition. On a tactical level we will work from the 7th [of August],” he explained.

Despite turning 39 next month, veteran and newly-crowned captain Luka Modric was given a full 90 minutes against Hansi Flick’s men which Ancelotti was probed on.

“He has returned well and has this physical structure that allows him to play. I didn’t speak to him during the game, he was fine and played until the end,” Ancelotti answered.

Despite being tipped to star on the left wing as Arda Guler was moved into midfield, Rodrygo was the only Brazilian not to earn minutes for Madrid while Eder Militao started and Vinicius entered the fray after the break.

“He was a bit tired but the next game I think he will be able to play half a half. Militao has returned in good physical condition and Vinicius shows that he has worked on vacation, because he is in good shape. Now the players are back in good physical shape and don’t need much work,” Ancelotti insisted.

To wrap up its tour, Madrid will next take on another former employer of Ancelotti’s in Chelsea on Tuesday evening.