Real Madrid are not giving up the fight for the Spanish football championship even after the last-minute defeat in the Clásico against FC Barcelona.
“The gap is bigger than before and it’s even more difficult, but we’ll do our best until the last game,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti after the unfortunate 1-2 (1-1) at the Catalans. “We didn’t deserve the defeat, to be honest,” added Bayern’s former Italian coach: “We tried everything, played well and scored a goal in the end. The game was won.”
Barcelona twelve points ahead of Real
The situation in the table is almost hopeless for the royals. Thanks to the success, Barcelona have a twelve-point lead over second-placed Madrid after the 26th matchday. “You have to lose four games and we have to win everything. It’s not impossible, but it’s very difficult,” said Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, assuring: “We’ll keep fighting until the end.”
An own goal by Ronald Araujo (9 minutes) gave Real the lead. After the equalizer by Sergi Roberto (45th), Marco Asensio (80th) put Champions League winners Madrid in the lead. But after video evidence, the striker’s goal was disallowed for offside. Barcelona’s wildcard Franck Kessie’s goal just before the end finally made the decision.
“We are sad, injured but proud of the game we played,” said Ancelotti. The 63-year-old didn’t see any reason to lose faith in his own strength: “The match was good from the first minute to the last. We didn’t win it because there was an offside that we still doubt – and with these doubts we go to Madrid.”
Barça coach Xavi Hernández did not understand the criticism. “I’m surprised Ancelotti has doubts about the disallowed goal because it’s a scientific question,” said the Spaniard. “It’s clearly offside and there’s no doubt. The offside is very clear.”
