Carlo Ancelotti’s comments following Real Madrid’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool have left fans stunned. The defeat marked Real’s third loss in five Champions League group-stage matches, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo condemning them to another setback. Despite having just three shots on target during the match, including a penalty miss by Kylian Mbappé saved by Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, the result left Real Madrid struggling in 24th place, clinging to the final playoff spot after five games.
Ancelotti’s side has faced a difficult start to their European campaign, with matches against Atalanta, Salzburg, and Brest still to come. However, what shocked fans most was the Italian manager’s surprisingly upbeat take on the performance. In his post-match comments, Ancelotti said, “I liked it. We played well. This loss doesn’t change much. Even if we won, it would have been difficult to make the top eight.”
While it’s not mathematically impossible for Real to advance, the loss at Anfield makes it highly likely they’ll end up in the Champions League play-off round. The new competition format means that three losses in five games aren’t as catastrophic as they might have been in the past, though Real’s path forward remains uncertain.
Liverpool, in contrast, maintained their perfect record with 15 points from five games, having conceded just once. Ancelotti’s counterpart, Arne Slot, was understandably pleased with his side’s performance, as they defeated Real Madrid in a competitive fixture for the first time since 2009. Slot told TNT Sports, “We knew how special it is to play against the club that has won the Champions League so many times and the reigning champions. They’ve been a pain for Liverpool many times too! I think it wasn’t just the result, but the way we played that was satisfying.
He also noted, “In the first half, we were a bit too impatient. Whenever they threatened us, it was because of our own sloppy passing or forcing the play. I told the players at halftime that we needed to play with more intensity in the second half.”