The Ballon d’Or nominee began los Blancos defeat to city-rivals Atletico Madrid among the substitutes, and the coach admitted the Portuguese was slightly fatigued
Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he started Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey meeting with Atletico Madrid as he was “a little bit tired”.
The Portuguese superstar did not figure as part of los Blancos’ starting line-up at Vicente Calderon, where they faced their local rivals in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Ronaldo entered the game in the 63rd minute with his side already behind, and he was unable to have the required impact as Jose Gimenez headed in a second to give Atleti a vital first-leg lead.
Ancelotti admitted after the game that the Ballon d’Or nominee was slightly fatigued, which is why he started among the substitutes.
“Cristiano was a little bit tired and he might have suffered during the match,” the Italian coach said in his post-match press conference.
“We lacked depth in our attack, not only on the left wing but in the team as a whole.
“We controlled the game until the penalty. It is difficult to play against Atletico because they play always as a compact team, always together.
“It was difficult to find opportunities. Benzema and Bale tried, but were unsuccessful.
Los Blancos have now lost two consecutive matches following their record-breaking 22-game winning streak, and while the 55-year-old admitted it will be difficult to progress to the quarter-finals he refuted the suggestion his team were in a crisis.
“I think to say crisis is a bit exaggerated, but we are not happy with the last two matches. We have to win again quickly,” Ancelotti added.
“There is still 90 minutes to play in the tie. We do not have much chance of progressing, but we will try with all our strength.”