Carlo Ancelotti shared his thoughts on key moments from the 1-1 draw between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, touching on refereeing decisions, the performances of Endrick, Courtois, and Tchouameni. He expressed satisfaction with his team’s efforts, emphasizing that securing a point in such a challenging encounter was a solid result. While Real Madrid came close to winning, Ancelotti acknowledged Atletico Madrid’s strength, saying that although the draw was a bit frustrating, it was still a fair outcome.
One significant moment came when the referee temporarily stopped the match due to objects being thrown from the crowd. Ancelotti remained composed, praising the referee for his handling of the situation, which included sending both teams to the locker room for a brief pause.
“The referee managed it well. We had a chance to regroup in the dressing room. Nobody wanted the interruption, but the situation was dealt with properly,” Ancelotti said, according to Mundo Deportivo.
He downplayed the incident, stressing the importance of staying calm in such moments. "The referee informed us that some objects, including lighters, had been thrown, so we took a short break," he explained. Reflecting on Angel Correa’s late goal, which leveled the score, Ancelotti acknowledged the disappointment of conceding so close to the end, especially when Real Madrid had been on the verge of victory. “This draw stings a bit because we were so close to winning. It's always tough to concede in the final minutes, but we must give credit to Atletico for their effort,” he said.
He remained optimistic, noting that a point against the league leaders was a good result and that the team would continue to fight. “We will keep pushing forward; we're not in a state of desperation. Earning a point in such a difficult match is valuable. We’re in good shape and now focusing on the Champions League.”
Regarding his tactical choices, Ancelotti defended his substitutions, explaining that it made sense to prioritize defense when holding a lead. “I stand by the changes. It’s natural to defend when you’re ahead. We played well, but Atletico found a way to break through,” he stated.
He praised the team’s overall defensive efforts but admitted that Atletico Madrid managed to capitalize on a key moment. Ancelotti also pointed out that both teams were focused on controlling the game and defending well, which was a major objective for Real Madrid after last season's derby defeat. “Both sides aimed to manage the game and defend better, especially after what happened in last year’s derby.”
Ancelotti briefly addressed a situation involving young forward Endrick, who chose to shoot rather than pass to a better-positioned teammate. The coach downplayed the decision, noting that while Endrick could have made a different choice, it wasn’t a major issue. “It’s not like the play against Stuttgart. He could have passed to Bellingham, but I don’t think it’s a big deal.”
He also mentioned that Courtois was experiencing some muscle discomfort and would undergo tests to determine the extent of the injury. “He felt some discomfort, and we’ll have the medical team assess him tomorrow.”
Ancelotti wrapped up by praising Aurelien Tchouameni’s defensive performance, reaffirming his confidence in the young midfielder and turning the focus to the challenges ahead. “Tchouameni did a great job defensively,” he concluded.