Real Madrid is determined to bounce back following a disappointing defeat to Barcelona, where they lost 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia. With three consecutive home games lined up over the next seven days, starting with a Copa del Rey clash against Celta Vigo on Thursday, the team is focusing on leveraging the support of their home crowd to regain momentum.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed the team’s sadness and disappointment but stressed the importance of moving forward. Madrid had been enjoying a five-match winning streak across all competitions before this latest setback. Ancelotti’s squad is currently second in the Spanish league, just one point behind Atletico Madrid and five points ahead of Barcelona.
Midfielder Luka Modric acknowledged the need for the team to unite and respond positively to this defeat, indicating that the upcoming Copa game will aid in quickly shifting focus away from the loss. He remains optimistic about their ability to recover and believes there are plenty of reasons for fans to celebrate as the season progresses.
However, the team will face challenges, with key forward Vinícius Júnior suspended due to a red card. The club’s appeal against the suspension was denied, which places additional pressure on Ancelotti to find effective defensive solutions. The coach noted the difficulties faced in defense against Barcelona, highlighting the need for improvement, particularly with injuries affecting players like Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal.
As the Copa del Rey advances, other teams like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also gearing up for their matches, with the latter seeking to extend a remarkable 14-game winning streak. This intense competition might just motivate Real Madrid to rise to the occasion and reclaim their form as they strive for success in multiple tournaments.
In summary, while the recent defeat to Barcelona was disheartening, Real Madrid remains hopeful and focused, looking to leverage their home advantage to turn their fortunes around. The resilience displayed by the players will be key as they navigate this busy segment of the season.