Off the wire
• Poland kicks off presidential election  • Roundup: Rebels' defenses collapse in Syria's key Jisr al-Shughour city  • 2nd LD: China cuts interest rates to bolster real economy  • 1st LD: Putin, Merkel call for diplomatic solutions to current problems  • Etihad plane diverted on "security alert"  • Outgoing Israeli gov't approves expansion of new cabinet  • British Queen attends service of thanksgiving of VE Day at Westminster Abbey  • Weather information for Asia-Pacific cities  • Another human trafficker killed in crossfire in Bangladesh  • Urgent: Putin, Merkel call for diplomatic solutions to current problems  
You are here: 　 Home

Ancelotti sees league setback as boost for Real Madrid's European hopes

Xinhua, May 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti saw his side virtually lose any options of winning the BBVA Primera Liga on Saturday night, but nevertheless looked to the positives of his side's performance against Valencia.

Real Madrid fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Valencia and but for a titanic display from Valencia goalkeeper, Diego Alves, could have completed a heroic fightback with a winning goal, which would have left them just two points behind FC Barcelona in the fight for the league title.

As things now stand Barca lead by four points with just two matches left to play and can afford to lose next weekend in the Vicente Calderon.

It means a third consecutive year without the league title for Madrid, who now have to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Juventus on Wednesday in order to qualify for the final of Champions league.

"It wasn't a good result, but we played well," said Ancelotti after the game.

"We created a lot of chances to score and we fought to the end and we could and should have won, but things will be OK on Wednesday," he said.

This performance could be an extra motivation for Wednesday," added Ancelotti, who nevertheless said his side needed to cure the defensive errors which cost his side dearly against Valencia.

The bad news for Madrid was a hip injury suffered by Tony Kroos, who is now a doubt to face Juventus. "He has pain when he kicks the ball, so we have to see how he develops," commented the Real Madrid coach. Endi