Carlo Ancelotti blamed “defensive fragility” for Real Madrid’s 3-1 derby loss to Atletico Madrid in LaLiga on Monday but refused to criticize individual players, saying the defeat was “my fault.”
Álvaro Morata put Atletico ahead after just four minutes at the Metropolitano stadium, before Antoine Griezmann made it 2-0.
Toni Kroos pulled one back for Real, but Morata’s header early in the second half sealed all three points for Atletico.
This result leaves Real Madrid in third place in the standings with 15 points, one point behind Barcelona and Girona, while Atletico has 10 points with one game remaining.
“[The problem] is defensive fragility, which we have never experienced in our first few matches,” Ancelotti said in the post-match press conference as quoted by ESPN.
“In six games [this season] we conceded three goals, and today we conceded three goals in 45 minutes,” he continued.
“We were fragile, it wasn’t a good night defensively. I won’t go into individual details, but we didn’t defend well. The goals were copies [of each other], they split the centre-halves and we were out of position. We weren’t good. We not compact.”
With Vinícius Júnior out of the Real Madrid squad on match day, delaying his return from injury, Ancelotti opted to play Jude Bellingham as a striker alongside Rodrygo with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both starting in midfield for the first time this season.
“The formation hasn’t changed,” said Ancelotti. “We started with Modric at number 10 and two strikers, Bellingham and Rodrygo. Maybe I could have done better, when the team doesn’t do what it should do, obviously that’s my responsibility. But I have broad shoulders, it’s no problem.”
Ancelotti said he would stick with his midfield for Madrid’s next match, hosting Las Palmas on Wednesday.
The problem is not the formation, he said. “The formation will not change. We are sad and angry as usual if we lose, but so far we have done well.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone praised his team’s performance and Morata, who has now scored five goals in LaLiga.
“Alvaro played an extraordinary game,” said Simeone. “We need this Morata. We know he can do it. We know he has the tools to get the number of players we need. Let’s hope he can maintain this level, because for Spain and Atletico Madrid he is an important striker.
“I’m very happy for the fans,” said Morata. “The atmosphere is amazing. We all got together, us on the pitch and them in the stands.
“Tomorrow the children can go to school wearing the Atletico uniform and be proud of us.”
