A lack of focus at the end of the match has left Real Madrid’s title hopes in tatters after they controlled large parts of the game against Valladolid but conceded late, Carlo Ancelotti has said.
Sergio Ramos scored a spectacular free kick in the 35th minute, but Los Blancos conceded just five minutes from time to effectively end the hopes of winning the league and mean the destination of the title will come down to events at the Nou Camp on the final day when Barcelona take on Atletico de Madrid.
Speaking to the press after the game, Ancelotti insisted his players would keep on fighting in the final two games, but admitted his was admitted with events in Valladolid.
“We had the match under control for 70 minutes, but then we took our foot off the ball, started defending deep and conceded a goal from a dead ball situation. It wasn’t a case of a lack of attitude because Iker hardly had a thing to do all night,” he said.
And he added that the result was due to a lack of mental energy, something that is a problem at this time of the year when players are competing in various tournaments.
“We made a few mistakes as we lacked the mental energy for a match of this kind, near the end of the season. That mental energy is what we were lacking, but as far as I can see the team is not physically tired,” Ancelotti commented.
He also reassured fans that Cristiano Ronaldo is fine and will be ready for the Champions League final.
“We’ll see how he is over the next few days. I don’t think Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is that serious. He wasn’t in pain and wasn’t complaining of a muscle sprain.”
