Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti stays optimistic despite Liverpool defeat

The Spanish giants are now placed 24th in the competition rankings, teetering on the brink with three group-stage matches remaining. Despite Thibaut Courtois' heroics preventing a heavier loss, Madrid's struggles were evident.

Ancelotti admitted Liverpool were the better side. "They deserved the victory. We held up well in the first half but made poor decisions in the final third," he explained.

"Until the penalty, the team competed well. We must continue on this path. The players fought hard."

Star forward Kylian Mbappe has faced criticism after missing a crucial penalty in the match, but Ancelotti was quick to defend him. "It's not uncommon for strikers to go through periods where they struggle to score. The key is patience," he said.

"It's a difficult time for him, especially after the missed penalty. Everyone needs to support him."

Ancelotti emphasised that confidence is key for Mbappe. "He might lack a bit of confidence right now, but when things aren't working, you need to simplify your game. Missing a penalty happens to everyone. He's an extraordinary player and just needs to keep working."

Real Madrid's injury woes continue, with several key players sidelined. "Lucas Vazquez is back, and we hope to have Rodrygo and Tchouameni available soon," Ancelotti revealed. "We're working to recover our injured players, as they are crucial to the team."

Youngsters Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler also received encouragement from the manager. "Brahim performed well in his role, and Arda did a good job too, though he could have been more precise. These are things that improve with experience," Ancelotti noted.

Despite the challenges, Ancelotti remains optimistic about Madrid's chances in the Champions League. "We need to be among the top 24, and we will be. We've faced similar situations in past seasons and have always competed," he stated.

With injuries piling up and form under scrutiny, Real Madrid's path forward will require resilience, patience, and the return of key players to stay alive in Europe's premier competition.

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