Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid ‘had their legs cut’ in Girona loss

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says his team were too weak against Girona and failed to recover from the third goal which “cut their legs.”

Real Madrid suffered their third LaLiga defeat in the last six games, falling 4-2 to Girona at the Estadi Montilivi to all but end their hopes of winning back-to-back league titles this season, and manager, Ancelotti has bemoaned his team’s performance as one that lacked strength and commitment especially when they were without the ball. 

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ancelotti said, “We lacked strength and commitment without the ball, and we left transitions. 

“The weight of the game was good with the ball, but without it we left too much space and they scored two goals in their first two attacks.”

Ancelotti also said his team suffered as a result of the timing of Girona’s third goal which came at the start of the second killing off any chance of a comeback. 

Real Madrid had gone into the break 2-1 down hoping to kickstart a comeback in the second half, but were shell-shocked by Valentin Castellanos getting his third of four goals on the night within 60 seconds of the restart. 

“The 3-1 inside the first minute of the second half has cut our legs, Ancelotti said, before continuing, “We are very hurt, obviously, but now we have to get up soon because we have everything at stake still. We will get up.”

Real Madrid need to get up soon as they still have the UEFA Champions League semifinals against Manchester City and the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna to execute.