‘Upset and angry’ Real Madrid look to get back on track after derby defeat

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti shrugged off any criticism from Sunday’s derby defeat as his “upset and angry” team look for an immediate response against Las Palmas.

Los Blancos lost 3-1 to city rivals Atletico on Sunday after opening the season with six straight wins in all competitions.

That was only the second time in 15 LaLiga clashes that Real had been beaten by Atletico and they host Las Palmas on Wednesday having dropped to third in the table, trailing Barcelona and Girona by a point.

“It’s normal when you’re the Real Madrid coach to receive criticism if things don’t go well. It doesn’t affect me,” Ancelotti told a press conference.

“I have to assess what we did well, which is a lot, as well as the things we didn’t do so well against Atletico, which are few. The evaluation I make is different to everyone else’s.

“The players and I are aware of what we have to do better, considering that up until now we have done well, and we must carry on doing well by improving what we didn’t get right against Atletico.

“I could have done better, maybe. That’s quite clear. When the team doesn’t do the right thing it’s my responsibility. But I’ve got broad shoulders, it’s not a problem.

“We’d only conceded three goals in six games and in 45 minutes we’ve conceded three goals. We were weak. It’s fair to say that. It wasn’t a good night.

Preparando el partido ante Las Palmas #RMCity pic.twitter.com/GajiC8GsqG

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 25, 2023

“Every system has its weaknesses. There’s no perfect system. We’ve got experienced and very reliable players.

“It’s a setback that could provide us with an opportunity to do things better. We’re upset and angry, as we always are when we lose. But we’ve done very well so far and we’ll continue to do well.”

Las Palmas sit 15th in the table having lost all of their three away games this term but Ancelotti remains cautious

“Every team has its strengths and features. Las Palmas play good football and like to control the ball,” said the former Chelsea manager. “As for us, we want to get back to winning ways and bounce back quickly after Sunday’s defeat.

“We have to go into games with a different mindset, given that we’ve been hurt a number of times in the opening minutes.”

Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr are available again for Ancelotti after missing the derby but the boss remains unsure how much of a part they will play.

He added: “They’re available and that’s very good news. I have to assess whether to give them minutes from the start or throughout the game.”

Teenage midfielder Arda Guler had been expected to be fit, but has suffered a muscle injury in training.