Madrid: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti tried to put up a brave face after a 0-1 defeat to Italian side AS Roma that saw his side eliminated from the Guinness International Champions Cup in the US.
A Francesco Totti goal gave Roma a narrow win against the Champions League winners Tuesday night, reports Xinhua.
The defeat coupled with the penalty shoot-out loss to Inter Milan Saturday means that although Real Madrid are still to face Manchester United, they can no longer progress in the pre-season competition.
"We tried to play good football again and we did so for an hour, but we could not take out chances," lamented Ancelotti, who tried to look at the positive.
"We have not had any injury problems and we have improved our physical condition, which is what you look to do in pre-season," he said.
"There are still a lot of players away and they will soon join the team and all of them will be ready when we play the Supercup (Aug 12 vs Sevilla). The fact they don't come back until Aug 5 doesn't mean they can't play as they will have a week to get into shape," added the Real Madrid coach.
"Now we are going to have more time to prepare for the Supercup and have more time to rest. Real Madrid can't be happy at a defeat, but we will be able to be better prepared," continued Ancelotti, who refused to discuss the possible signing of goalkeeper, Keylor Navas or whether Casillas or Diego Lopez would be first choice goalkeeper in the BBVA Primera Liga next season.
Ancelotti did discuss Cristiano Ronaldo, saying his knee problems were behind him.
"He is working well and we will be able to see if he can play a few minutes against Manchester United. I think his injury is forgotten, but we have to be calm."
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