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Ancelotti ‘worried’ after another poor Real Madrid performance
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Ancelotti ‘worried’ after another poor Real Madrid performance

MADRID (AP) — There were plenty of jeers at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday.

Before the match, when the Champions League anthem was played. And after the match, when Real Madrid saw their 15-match unbeaten run in the Champions League come to an end.

Madrid fans still seemed upset about Vinícius Júnior not winning the Ballon d’Or ceremony, as well as yet another poor performance from the team.

Madrid followed their 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish league ‘clasico’ with a 3-1 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League, and coach Carlo Ancelotti made no secret of his concerns.

“We have to be worried we are not showing the best version of ourselves,” Ancelotti said. “We are not compact as a team and we need to change that. We lack order in the team and, as a result, we concede too many goals.

Madrid, the European powerhouse with a record 15 Champions League titles, has now conceded seven goals in four matches in the competition, with its other defeat coming in a 1-0 defeat at Lille. They have been behind in their last three matches in the competition, but rallied to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in their other home match after conceding the first.

“It’s normal to be worried in this situation,” Ancelotti said. “We’re going to endure some long nights, but we have to work to improve things and get back that solidity that we’ve had for so long and now we don’t have it anymore.”

The result puts Madrid in 17th place in the 36-team Champions League championship stage.

“We have to stay united and try to correct what we are doing wrong,” Madrid midfielder Luka Modric said. “It’s not a crisis, it’s not a word I like to talk about. I have been here for 12 years and this is not the first time I have seen this situation. Quality is not enough, you have to work more as a team, so it’s easier for us. I am sure we will get back up.

Defense has been a problem for Madrid, who have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches.

“It’s too many for a team like ours,” Ancelotti said. “Our strength was that we were a strong team.”

The attack also faltered, with Kylian Mbappé failing to get on with teammates Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo up front.

“The problem has nothing to do with Vinícius and Mbappé, nor whether they reached an agreement,” Ancelotti said. “It is the ease with which the rival approaches our goal in dangerous situations. We need to work much more closely as a team in big moments. Currently, we are unable to demonstrate an effective work ethic.

Before the match, Madrid fans jeered loudly when the UEFA Champions League anthem was played. This happened after the club decided not to attend the Ballon d’Or award ceremony Last week, Vinícius Júnior failed to win the prestigious award, even though fans had also booed the anthem at times.

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AP Football: