Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his side showed ‘great character and attitude to not lose’ following their 2-2 draw with Osasuna.
Los Blancos came back from a two goal deficit and Sergio Ramos’ sending off to take a valuable point, with goals from Isco late in the first half and then Pepe once Osasuna were reduced to ten men.
“I think that the first 20 minutes were very good,” Ancelotti told the press. “It’s incredible to think about seeing a game like that. Once it was 2-0 and we were down to ten men, that was incredible.
“The team’s reaction was very good. I want to thank them for getting the draw and nearly winning at the end. We suffered a lot. In the end, I think that the team showed great character and attitude to not lose this match”.
The Italian explained the changes he made during the match: “Di María came on to play 4-3-2, like we did against Galatasaray. Modric took a knock in the game against Copenhagen and was starting to have a few problems so I took him off. I sent Jesé on to play wide and put in some crosses”.
Ancelotti refused to discuss the refereeing and Ramos’ sending off: “I don’t like talking about the referee’s decisions. It’s difficult to understand that decision because the two cards are…Maybe the first one was a foul. I don’t know”.
When asked what his team were lacking, Ancelotti said: “Nothing, really. Maybe we lost control of the game a little after the first goal. The first 20 minutes the team played well.
“They played with a lot of quality and rhythm. That’s why I think that it’s incredible to finish with this result after losing 2-0 with ten men at the end of the first half. I don’t we made too many mistakes.
“The team was well positioned in the first half. In the second half, we played differently, with more intensity, more balance to look for an equalizer. The team showed character and did well”.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
