Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was disappointed to have to sacrifice Jese Rodriguez when Sergio Ramos saw red in the club’s Champions League encounter with Galatasaray.
Los Blancos finished as 4-2 winners on the night with goals from Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa, Angel Di Maria and Isco.
“We played very well in the second half whilst a man short,” Ancelotti told the press.
“We played with courage and character. Playing with ten is not easy and they all worked well. The match became more complicated following Sergio’s red card and I expect to see him back for the round of 16”.
He also touched on the team’s form: “We’re on a good run, we are scoring lots of goals and playing well. We need to keep the momentum going. I’m happy right now”.
The Italian was forced into withdrawing Jese after Ramos got the wrong side of Umut Bulut and fouled the striker earning a straight red card.
“I’m a little sad because I needed to change Jesé, who is in a very good form, but I needed to put a defender on”.
Ancelotti revealed what he told the Spanish Under-21 international: “To Jesé I just said that I needed to do it because Ramos did not need to take that risk, he just had to get the other side of him. Just like when we conceded the goal, the danger was in behind”.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
