adminMADRID. — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his side struggled physically as their Spanish La Liga soccer title hopes were dented by a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia on Sunday night. Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 defeat away to Levante earlier in the day had opened the door for Real to close to within three points of their city rivals with a game in hand to come.
However, despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning injury time equaliser, Real could only manage a point which leaves Atletico needing just four points from their remaining two games to take the title for the first time in 18 years.
Real had come into the game on a high having thrashed Bayern Munich 4-0 to progress to the Champions League final for the first time in 12 years on Tuesday.
Ancelotti, though, thinks both his players and Atletico paid for their exertions in overcoming the German champions and Chelsea respectively in midweek.
“I think it was physical tiredness more than anything,” explained Ancelotti.
“You saw Atletico and Chelsea have had the same problem, it is difficult to give your maximum physically days after the intensity of a Champions League semi-final.” Real are back in action tomorrow when they travel to relegation threatened Valladolid and Ancelotti knows his side must now win their remaining three games to maintain any realistic hope of winning the league.
“The team is not happy and that is normal because we tried to win until the end, but we will have the same desire and will to fight until the last game.
“To have a chance we need to win all three games and it won’t be easy because we play two away from home against teams that are fighting themselves.”
Despite the disappointment, Ancelotti did still take time to marvel at Ronaldo’s backheeled finish deep into stoppage time to register his 50th goal of the season. — AFP.
Online Reporter