Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid’s 4-0 humiliating defeat at the hands of Barcelona was all his fault, apologising to supporters for the El Clasico loss.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice, with Ronald Araujo and former Man City star Ferran Torres getting the others.
It is not disastrous for Real, who remain nine points clear at the top of La Liga, and 12 points ahead of Barca in third, but it is a poor result for Ancelotti’s reputation and future at the club.
The Italian coach was not making excuses after the game, but tried to attract the blame to himself and away from his players.
‘The approach wasn’t good,’ he said, via Marca. ‘Barca played better and deserved to win, but the defeat does not sink us. We have to look forward and have balance, think that we have a nine-point advantage.
‘We have not been recognisable, everything has gone wrong. I have told the players that it was my fault
‘It’s hard because it’s a Clasico, because losing against Barcelona hurts. You have to be calm and calm, recover the injured. We’re sorry, but we don’t have to make a drama.’
Real Madrid now move into the international break, not playing again until they travel to Celta Vigo in La Liga on 2 April.
Ancelotti is delighted to have the break to regroup, before they try and wrap up the title and challenge for the Champions League, taking on Chelsea in the next stage.
‘The break is good now, because we can get players back,’ he said. ‘I don’t think it’s going to affect our mood. I’ve failed in my approach. It can happen once, twice I’m not usually wrong.’
