Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that his team’s lack of effectiveness in front of goal cost them two points against Villarreal yesterday.
Los Blancos hosted Champions League contenders Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu last night. A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in the 54th minute put the hosts ahead, but a Moreno Balaguero strike ten minutes later helped the visitors draw level. There were no further goals as the match finished in a 1-1 draw.
Ancelotti’s side had a chance to take a four-point lead over their closest La Liga rivals Barcelona with a win after the Catalans had brought the gap between themselves and the league leaders to one point following their victory over Granada on Saturday. But Los Blancos couldn’t get all three points against a determined Villarreal.
The reigning European champions had 25 shots on goal, of which they could only get seven on target compared to nine shots and four on target from the visitors.
And Ancelotti believes that his team’s profligacy in front of the Yellow Submarine’s goal cost them the victory.
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“There are two parts to the game. In the first half we were playing at a very low tempo”, Ancelotti was quoted by AS as saying.
“We put in a lot of crosses because we were not moving the ball around quickly enough.
“That rhythm changed in the second half. We weren’t effective with the chances we created.”
However, the manager is pleased with the progress his side are making as the season reaches its business end.
“I think the team is improving.”
And the Italian believes that with only two points separating the top two sides in the league, the title race will go down to the wire.
“We have dropped two points but the league will be decided on the final day.
“Two points of advantage are nothing but we have to enjoy them and look ahead because we have a difficult game coming up.”
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