The winners of the last three editions of the Champions League won’t have opportunity to defend their title this season as Real Madrid fell to 1-4 home defeat at the hands of Ajax at the Santiago Bernaebu, a result which means they fail to progress to the quarter-finals.
Speaking at his press conference, Madrid head coach Santiago Bernabeu admitted that Ajax had everything to win Tuesday’s night match.
“It’s really painful, we’re sorry for our fans, who were amazing in the way they supported the team in what was a very tough time. We’re sad and are hurting. We put in the best possible effort but it wasn’t enough and we’ve bowed out. It’s a sad night.” Solari said.
“A lot of things went on out there. It was a game in which things frequently changed. There was a bit of everything: enforced substitutions, shots hitting the woodwork, the ball not wanting to go in, their clinicalness, the VAR system, and an endless amount of things that you’ll have to assess.” Solari added.
Madrid are out of the Copa del Rey and currently sit third in LaLiga, 12 points off the top, after falling 1-0 to Barcelona over the weekend.
Los Blancos have won the last three Champions League titles, with the most recent triumph coming last year against Liverpool in a 3-1 victory.
Real Madrid out of the Champions League after 1-4 defeated to Ajax. (Source:www.spox.cm)
“This group of players have won the last three editions of the Champions League and tonight we’ve gone out of the competition. This group of champions has won four of the last five Champions Leagues and it’s a sad time that highlights what the team has achieved in the past and how tough it is to win the European Cup.” Solari said.
“It has been a tough season, but that’s what we’re here for: to give it our all and show our character in the tough moments. The good times are easier for us to get through, but we need to get through the tough moments with courage and never give up. What we need to do is remain calm and approach it with the best possible character.
“The season goes on. There’s a big gap in LaLiga, but we have to remain professional. Real Madrid are bigger than all of this, we will come back bigger and better, we’ll be better than before.” He added.
