bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Reuters

Shell-shocked Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti described the 4-0 defeat at derby rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday as his worst at the club and blamed himself for the capitulation.
First-half goals from Tiago and Saul Niguez put Atletico in command before Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic sealed a first home league win over Real since 1999 just after the hour mark.
Atletico have now beaten their city rivals twice in La Liga and over two-legs in the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey this season to bounce back in fine style from their heartbreaking loss in the Champions League final last season.
A weakened Real defence, missing the injured Pepe and Sergio Ramos along with Marcelo through suspension, was torn apart by a rampant Atletico.

	I accept responsibility, it was the worst game that we have played since I have been here

	Carlo Ancelotti
Stand-in centre backs Raphael Varane and Nacho Fernandez showed a lack of experience but they were also not helped by their teammates who failed to get back and provide support.
Increasingly erratic goalkeeper Iker Casillas was also at fault for the first goal as Real lost for only the fourth time in the league this season.
“I need to have a cool head to analyse what happened. I accept responsibility, it was the worst game that we have played since I have been here,” Ancelotti, who took over in 2013, said.
“It is very simple, Atletico deserved to win because they were better than us in all areas. They fought more, they had more intensity and their play was better.
“I am sorry. We are going to have to change our attitude and make sure it doesn’t happen in another game. We made a lot of mistakes and we were always second to the ball.”
Victory could have seen La Liga leaders Real open up a 10-point gap over their neighbours but instead the champions now lie four points behind on 50, level with second-placed Barcelona who visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
“We played badly but we are still top of the table and I don’t want to make too much of a fuss about this game. It was very bad but I have belief in the players,” Ancelotti added.
There was little creativity in midfield where Toni Kroos looked weary while Cristiano Ronaldo, who was expected to be fresh after missing the last two games through suspension, was largely anonymous in attack.
Fellow striker Karim Benzema denied the loss to bogey side Atletico, who have got the better of Real on each occasion since their Champions League final defeat, was due to a lack of motivation.
“It was a disaster but it was not down to the fact that we weren’t trying to win,” he told reporters.
“It was a very bad game. It is always difficult to play against them but now we need to work hard to win the next game.”


Carlo Ancelotti in shock as Atletico Madrid demolish Real Madrid

Atletico's Tiago celebrates Mario Mandzukic's  goal as Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas contemplates what went wrong. Photo: AP

Atletico's Mario Mandzukic celebrates his goal with teammates. Photo: AP

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo faces up to a barren day. Photo: EPA


Sport