Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was left feeling frustrated after his side was held to a 1-1 draw by city rivals Atletico Madrid in their LaLiga encounter on Sunday. Despite controlling much of the game, a late goal from Atletico’s Angel Correa salvaged a point for the hosts.
Ancelotti acknowledged that Real Madrid deserved more from the match, given their dominance throughout. However, he was relieved to secure a draw in a stadium where they had suffered two defeats last season.
“It’s difficult to accept a draw when we were so close to winning,” Ancelotti told reporters after the match. “But football is like that. The opponents are strong and have a lot of quality. Their goal came in the last minute, which is a pity. We controlled the game well and created chances.”
Despite the disappointment of the late equalizer, Ancelotti remained optimistic about Real Madrid’s prospects in the league. He highlighted the positive aspects of the performance and the team’s position in the standings.
All square in the derby.#RealMadrid | #AtletiRealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 29, 2024
“I always try to think positively,” Ancelotti added. “We’ve earned a point away from home, and we’re closer to the top of the table. The team’s momentum is good, and we’re still in contention for the title.”
Real Madrid are currently second in the LaLiga standings, three points behind leaders Barcelona and two points ahead of Atletico. The match was briefly halted in the second half due to fan misconduct from the Atletico Madrid supporters. Objects were thrown onto the pitch as Real Madrid celebrated their opening goal. The referee, Mateo Busquets Ferrer, made the decision to temporarily suspend the game to restore order.
Ancelotti praised the referee’s decision to stop the match and ensure the safety of the players and officials. He dismissed the notion that the break had benefited Atletico, stating that it affected both teams equally.
“I don’t think the stoppage helped Atletico,” Ancelotti said. “It affected us both equally. We all wanted to play. The referee’s decision was the right one. He said that lighters were thrown, and he had stopped the match twice. If they had thrown another one, he would have had to suspend it. It was a correct decision by the referee. It had to stop, a few things were sorted out, and we started again.”
