Real Madrid beat Mallorca 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night to postpone Barcelona's title celebrations by 24 hours at least, after a late comeback finished off by the most unlikeliest of heroes.
Real Madrid played well and looked to have control of the game from start to finish, and while that is a good thing, it made Carlo Ancelotti - who is leaving for Brazil and taking a former Real Madrid legend with him - realise something distasteful.
After the match, Ancelotti was asked about Real Madrid's performance, to which he said: "We have covered so many absentees with an extraordinary effort. If we had done that in more games, it would have been a much better season.”
Real Madrid could had a much better season than they actually did
He is absolutely right. Real Madrid have not looked in control of most games they have played this season, but that is not as black and white as Ancelotti has made it out to be.
It is partly on Ancelotti that Real Madrid were never really able to replace Toni Kroos. It is also partly on Ancelotti that Real Madrid did not have a well-built structure in defense and midfield. If they did, things would have improved.
He is absolutely right, though. Whether he is at fault or not, Real Madrid looked good on Wednesday. They could have easily scored more than two goals if their keeper Leo Roman did not have an all-time performance.
Real Madrid have lost 14 games this season, which is the most they have lost in a campaign since 2018-19. It is simply not good enough, no matter what way Real Madrid fans look at it.
To be absolutely fair to Ancelotti, he does not claim that he is not at fault. In his post-match conference, he simply said "if we were better". I am guessing he includes himself in that sentence. If he does, fair enough.