Carlo Ancelotti takes aim at Barcelona for ‘strange’ display and claims they ‘didn’t deserve to win’

Carlo Ancelotti was not impressed by Barcelona’s defensive performance during Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to their El Clásico rivals on Thursday night.

The energetic first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final was decided by an own goal by Eder Militao in the first half after Thibaut Courtois deflected Franck Kessie’s shot straight at the defenseless defender.

Real Madrid failed to register a single shot on goal and, although Ancelotti admitted the result ‘hurt’, he remains confident that the LaLiga champions can turn the tie around when both teams meet again at the Camp Nou in a little while two weeks.

Despite Barcelona putting on a strong defensive display at the daunting Bernabéu, Ancelotti was stumped by his rivals’ approach to play.

Speaking after the defeat, Ancelotti said: ‘Barcelona didn’t deserve to win and that’s obvious. This defeat will not have consequences because we are satisfied with our performance.

Carlo Ancelotti assures that Barcelona did not deserve to win the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals

Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Bernabéu thanks to an own goal from Eder Militao in the first half

‘It is very difficult to control the match against Barcelona as we did today. We are aware that we have to come back, but it would not be the first time that we have come from behind in a draw. We are hurt by the result, but we will go into the second leg with confidence.

“It was strange to see Barcelona play like that. They are very solid at the back and they haven’t conceded many goals.

‘They defend very well and are committed to their duties. They closed their lines brilliantly, crossing the ball into the box is not what we want to do.’

Ancelotti praised his team for dominating possession, but admitted they didn’t have many good chances.

“If we replicate that intensity, we will have chances to turn the tie around. I doubt that Barcelona will settle so defensively at the Camp Nou,’ he added.

“We started and finished the game well. They marked us for an individual error and a counter, a rebound.

Real Madrid entered the last clash of El Clásico as favorites against Barcelona after two defeats, and without their top three scorers, Roberto Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele.

But it was the Catalan giants who triumphed and they will be hoping to book their place in the Copa del Rey final when the teams meet again.

Ancelotti claimed it was “strange” to see Barcelona play the way they did, citing their defensive approach.