Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media in the press room of the La Cartuja stadium and analyzed the Copa del Rey final: “It was a good match and we competed well. The first half was more complicated, but in the second half, we were better. The match was under control, they slipped a ball behind us for the second goal, and the match became complicated. The team did well, close to winning, but we have to keep fighting. I have nothing to blame the team for. If we had won, it wouldn’t have been a scandal because in the second half we were better than the opponent.”
“We defended well without looking for an exit in the pressure at the beginning. It wasn’t easy because when they have energy, they press very well. When they lowered the pressure rhythm, we handled the ball better, and in the second half, we played very well.”
No blame on the team
“I am hurt because we were not able to lift the Cup; there is nothing to blame because we gave our all.”
Entry of Mbappé after the break
“I preferred to bring Mbappé on in the second half when the pace slowed down a bit. He came on very well, equalized, and had many chances. He couldn't last 90 minutes, and I preferred to put him in the second half for this reason.”
The play of Barcelona's third goal
“Brahim thought Luka could put a ball behind him and he did it low. These are details that sometimes cost nothing and other times cost a lot.”
About his future
“I can continue or I can stop. It will be a topic that will come up in the coming weeks.”
Referees of the final
“I don’t want to talk about the referee.”
Rüdiger
“He had a fantastic match and held on as long as he could. I appreciate his effort, and it was spectacular. He was not injured; he was just tired and could not run anymore.”
Expelled
“I don’t know what happened with the third red card. We need to see what happened, and I don’t know. Now we have to wait. We will rest for two days to prepare for the matches against Celta and Barcelona at the end of the League.”
