MADRID — Real Madrid is just not used to huge losses within the Champions League.
The “Kings of Europe” are often those rolling previous opponents and lifting the trophies on the finish.
The most profitable membership with 14 European Cup titles, Madrid had made it to 5 of the final 9 Champions League finals, profitable all of them.
This time, although, Madrid by no means had an opportunity in a 4-0 loss at Manchester City in Wednesday’s second leg of the semifinals, being eradicated 5-1 on combination to a group that was superior from the beginning.
The solely factor left for Madrid, along with praising its rival, was to start out assessing what went mistaken and planning for what’s forward.
“It was a tough night for us,” mentioned ahead Vinícius Júnior, who scored Madrid’s winner in opposition to Liverpool in final yr’s Champions League remaining. “We have to learn from what happened in this match so it doesn’t happen again next season. To make it to a semifinal is very difficult and we always make it, that’s not easy for other teams.”
PHOTOS: Real Madrid assesses future after ‘good season’ regardless of Champions League exit
With its latest successes nonetheless contemporary, there have been no calls but for a whole makeover although Madrid was closely outplayed by Pep Guardiola’s City within the second leg in Manchester.
“This squad did very well last year and this year, we beat City in the semifinals and we won the title, but this time we didn’t have it in us to play in another final,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned. “I’m convinced that this squad will do better next season and we are already focused on next season’s Champions League, when we want to be among the top contenders again.”
There have been questions on Madrid’s future, although, as not even Ancelotti’s permanence was sure for subsequent season. His contract lasts by way of June 2024 however Brazil’s nationwide group desires to rent the veteran Italian coach and was reportedly ready for the tip of the season to make its push.
Madrid president Florentino Pérez has mentioned he desires to maintain his coach, and Ancelotti has been publicly saying he’s glad the place he’s.
“The club president was quite clear 15 days ago,” Ancelotti mentioned after the loss to City. “So nobody has any doubt. What the president tells me privately I’m not going to say here.”
Ancelotti on Wednesday overtook Alex Ferguson for many video games coached within the Champions League with 191. He additionally has a document of 107 wins for the reason that match was revamped in 1992-93, and has received essentially the most European Cup titles with 4 – two with Madrid and two with AC Milan.
“There is no doubt that Ancelotti should stay. He deserves it for everything that he has done and for everything that he still does for this club,” veteran Madrid midfielder Luka Modric mentioned. “It’s always a big deal when Madrid loses, but there is no need for drama because of this defeat. We didn’t play well and City was better, that’s it. This team can still be very successful.”
But there are additionally doubts about the way forward for Modric and different key gamers who’ve their contracts ending on the finish of the season, together with Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos. Others with out a contract in June shall be Marco Asensio, Nacho Fernández, Dani Ceballos and Mariano Díaz.
“We still have a lot of players who are motivated to win many things,” Madrid proper again Dani Carvajal mentioned. “We have to keep our heads high and keep working hard to come back stronger and make it to another final.”
The loss to City virtually ended Madrid’s season as a result of the group is already out of competition within the Spanish league with 4 matches remaining. Madrid continues to be in a battle for second-place with metropolis rival Atletico Madrid after Barcelona received the title.
Madrid ended the season with three titles – the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa del Rey.
“It’s been a good season,” Ancelotti mentioned. “There are four games left and we have to give it our best. Hopefully we can finish well. Reaching a Champions League semifinal is a success because only four teams can reach it. Losing a semifinal can happen.”
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