“We are not living in a negative period”

Technician from Celtic, Carlos CarvalhoHe admitted that Real Madrid “deserved to win” in the match at the Santiago Bernabéu. “Our team had a plan to keep the ball, take it to the middle of the field, and move on from there. We managed to do it in the first fifteen minutes, but then we fell a bit”, argued the Portuguese. He added that they later settled down a bit and had “difficulty getting out in transition” without having the possession they intended, which meant the opposition had more chances and theirs only one in the first half.

He reflected on the moments of the goals, at the end of the first part and at the beginning of the second. “It cost us a lot. However, the team fought until the end, with the opportunity of Iago Aspas and others for the definition and the last pass. We could have scored 1-2 on several occasions and entered the game,” he said. Carvalhal especially appreciates the fact that he “fought until the last second.” – We didn’t manage to win, but we continued.

He was asked about the goal conceded from the ball, as had happened in previous days. “There was a long period in which we did not suffer, and now it happened because Militao had individual marking and our plan failed. We must be more attentive, cut short the careers of strong and important players and progress.

He believes that his team had a “good line-up” against Real Madrid, better than in past games where feelings were not good. “We drew a tough game with Almeria and also in Sevilla. We had a setback against Mallorca and we weren’t good,” he said, recapitulating the run they are on now.

However, I don’t think it’s that bad. “He has four without a win, two draws and two defeats. We were one of seven without losing a break in the previous game. We are not living in a negative period”, he defends himself. He argued that the relationships that are now part of the negative dynamic were once within the “fantastic”.

What he tries to tell his players ahead of the match against Elche, as he often says and repeats, is that “the next game is the most important” in their lives. “We will leave everything to win three points and we will see where we are at the end of the season,” he elaborated. In this sense, he wanted to remember that he brought the team “into a terrible situation” and now, although it is not considered salvation, things have improved. “We are not in a completely calm situation, but we will do our best to win points.

He praised Tapia’s work at center back and said the best Gabri will be back on Wednesday after the gastroenteritis that struck him last week.

Milita’s shirt

The end of the match left an unusual image of Carvalhal asking for a shirt from Militão. He explained that they knew each other from Portugal and told where that moment came from. “I know it doesn’t look very good for the coach to ask for a shirt on the field, but I don’t care, that’s how I am. I’m doing it because my son cut it for me and if Elche asks me tomorrow, I’ll do it without waiting in the dressing room.”