Real Madrid boss Santigo Solari has defended the team after Brcelona humiliation saying that a defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey is not a failure.
Away at Nou Camp, the Catalans forced a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the del Rey semi-final and had an advantage of away goal ahead of the return leg. However, things did not go Madrid’s way as Luis Suarez double and an own goal fro Raphael Varane saw the visitors’ book a final date.
Solari was happy with his side’s performance despite the exit.
“Football is a forceful game. We applied ourselves well, with energy, but we weren’t decisive,” he said.
“We have been beaten with honour, but we’re sad because this is a tough blow for us to take. It isn’t a failure because it was a semi-final and we won’t be able to play in the final, so we will have to try again.”
“We had chances in the first half but also in the second too when the score was 1-0. I never thought we lost control of the game, but they scored with their first shot of the game and then got another with an own goal. We didn’t score when we had our chances and there’s nothing more to add about it.”
Madrid has a chance of revenging as the two sides once again meet in a La Liga match on Saturday 2nd.