Nacho, Carvajal, Joselu speak after Atletico Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid: “The elimination hurts” | OneFootball

Real Madrid may have put four goals past Barcelona to end the Catalans’ Spanish Super Cup hopes on Sunday. Last night, however, they were made to taste their own medicine as Atletico Madrid scored as many goals past them to knock them out of the Copa del Rey.

Atleti took the lead twice in regulation time, only for Carlo Ancelotti’s men to strike back on both occasions. The clash headed to extra-time where Los Rojiblancos reigned supreme and scored twice emphatically.

Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez boldly faced the press after his side’s elimination from the competition and revealed his feelings over the game against Atletico Madrid.

“The elimination hurts because in this club the demand is maximum and we always want to fight for all competitions. Logically, it wasn’t the goal to fall here today.”

He went on to add that while continuity in the competition would be ideal, the team would look at the silver lining and move on unperturbed on other fronts.

“We wanted to continue in a competition that makes us very excited. It’s not going to tarnish anything, we are very confident. We have lost today, but in general terms, we have played a very complete game. It’s time to learn from mistakes.”

Joselu, the scorer of the team’s second equaliser on the night, gave a more detailed insight into the overall passage of play and the feelings in the minds of players during the match.

“We have made some individual mistakes that has hurt us a lot, but in general terms, we have played a good game. With the 2-2 we wanted to get the victory, but we have many players with a lot of game load on top and many minutes in the legs.”

“We have been burdened in the last few weeks, but we have to value what we have done today and focus on what is coming,” he added on the hectic schedule.

The veteran striker went on to detail how the constant travel and relentless matches took a toll on the players’ bodies but admitted that he looked forward to the games coming up.

“Last week we travelled a lot and we have played two extra times and a Super Cup final. In the end, that burns you a lot physically. We had the return trip and quickly the game here.”

“The team wants to win and has fought until the end, but so much travel and so much game have taken their toll on us. Getting a title in the month of January is what we attach importance to. Now it’s time to focus on the League and the Champions League,” he continued.

Joselu was on target for Real Madrid.. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Finally, he spoke about his goal on the night, saying: “Happy to score a goal that put us in extra time, happy to contribute what I can and disappointed with the final result. Let’s think about Sunday.”

Dani Carvajal was the third, and final player, who faced the press after the derby defeat. Commenting on the harsh result and how it was inflicted, he said,

“It has been a very even match, with somewhat strange goals. It has taken its toll on us all this week, a semifinal with an extension, and long trips. And this field is always very difficult. Congratulate the rival, who has scored more goals than we do.”

The right-back went on to add how the team virtually collapsed in extra time but put up a stiff fight until that point despite having little rest.

“The last phase of the extension has cost us, but I wouldn’t blame it on that. The 3-2 comes from a loss and has done us a lot of damage. It was the moment when we were best, if we controlled the ball the balance could be on our side.”

Carvajal echoed Joselu’s thoughts on the hectic calendar and incessant travel that Real Madrid were forced to undertake across all competitions, saying,

“The minutes, the trips, the games are accumulating. We wanted to continue in this Cup. We were very excited, but it couldn’t be. We have been crossed, but we have given everything.”

“Nothing to reproach the colleagues, I think they have left everything in the field. You have to be optimistic. Now we have a couple of whole weeks to focus on the League and try to extend that distance with our pursuers,” he added.

Finally, the defender acknowledged the coincidence that both of Real Madrid’s defeats this season have come against the same opposition at the same stadium

“What a coincidence that the two defeats of this season have been here. If we have to play again, I hope it doesn’t happen again. We have given everything, it couldn’t be. Now we focus on the League, on Sunday against Almería, to try to consolidate ourselves up there.”

Source: Real Madrid website