Carlo Ancelotti was left frustrated after Real Madrid hit another setback in their LaLiga title challenge after falling 2-1 to Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The loss keeps them three points adrift of league leaders Barcelona but should the Catalan side secure victory against Real Betis, that margin could widen to six.
Speaking to Diario AS following the defeat, Ancelotti admitted the result has complicated their league ambitions.
He said: “We created a lot of chances, we were very close to scoring goals. It may be that we lacked effectiveness, and in recovering the ball, but we conceded very little.
“It’s true that opponents don’t need much to score on us at the moment. We took risks to try to win, the draw was of no use to us, and we took that counterattack. We did things well offensively. We have lacked some effectiveness.
“It’s much more complicated to fight for La Liga now, but we have the idea of doing well until the end. We have options, except after this game, but we have to fight until the end. We have lost the opportunity to fight for the league more forcefully.
🏁 @RealMadridEn 1-2 @Valenciacf_en
⚽ 15' Diakhaby.
⚽ 50' @ViniJr
⚽ 90' + 5' Hugo Duro.
👉 @Emirates pic.twitter.com/mtJwSq6DsJ— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 5, 2025
“The match against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey will be different, they will attack more and we will have to be better at the back and be effective up front.”
The match also saw Vinicius Junior miss a penalty in the first half, a moment that proved costly for Los Blancos.
The Brazilian had also failed to convert his previous spot-kick in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid. Ancelotti shed light on why he was chosen to take it again.
“It’s a complicated season with penalties. Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vinicius have all missed… I tried to give him confidence and he missed this one too.”
