This report unfolds from the crowded press room at the Príncipe Felipe stadium, where the postmatch mood captured as much attention as the onstage action. The topic dominating the room was the state of the pitch, a factor that even eclipsed the postgame chats of the major television and radio outlets. The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, spoke plainly about the conditions, noting that the surface limited certain styles of play and forced teams to adapt. He observed that individual quality can be neutralized when the pitch is unplayable, and he framed the encounter as proof that football belongs to all sizes of clubs, not just the giants. The press embraced the dichotomy: a game that fans crave for technique and tempo stored on a slippery field, where resilience and strategy decide the outcome more than perfectly executed plays. Ancelotti was clear that this is not traditional football in its purest sense, yet he acknowledged the value of such matches for fans and for smaller clubs who can compete with the biggest teams on the field beneath the lights.
The consensus from the coaching staff was that the match was even and fiercely contested. The ball spent plenty of time in the air, and there was a tangible sense of struggle as teams tried to control possession on a surface that offered few guarantees. Ancelotti expressed satisfaction that his squad managed to adapt to a game that demanded a different rhythm than what they would prefer, underscoring that the opponent forced their hand in ways that tested discipline and composure. When pressed about whether the tie ever looked in jeopardy, his reply was measured, and he reserved praise for Cacereño for the pressure they applied and for the way they pressed the Real Madrid defense. He noted that their intensity and tempo challenged Madrid to stay patient and maintain spatial discipline.
Discussions about Eden Hazard and Rodrygo Goes naturally followed, with Rodrygo’s goal described as fantastic by Ancelotti. Yet the emphasis remained on the field conditions and collective effort rather than individual brilliance. The coach asserted that evaluating players on such a surface would be unfair because the overall context dictated many of the decisions on the pitch. He added that even skilled players can struggle when the game is altered by the pitch, and that smaller teams often face the same difficulties. The message was clear: the team focused on the job at hand, accepting the challenges posed by the setting while pursuing the result they needed.
In reflecting on the team’s performance, Ancelotti praised the squad for their commitment from the opening whistle to the final minute. He highlighted the necessity of enduring difficult moments, noting that the break before the second half did not yield a second goal, yet the overall result remained satisfactory. The coach stressed that the broader objective was to maintain balance and keep the game manageable under pressure, acknowledging that sustaining a low-risk approach can be prudent when the conditions are not conducive to free-flowing football. The emphasis stayed on teamwork and the shared responsibility of defending and attacking when opportunities arose.
Cobo’s response
Julio Cobos, speaking in his usual forthright manner, addressed the same topic with characteristic candor. He echoed the sentiment that football can present tough conditions and tough games, noting that Ancelotti possesses vast experience even when boards and pitches are unforgiving. Cobos remarked on how space can be either a friend or foe depending on the moment, stressing that excuses have no place when teams must adapt with just a few touches. The discussion turned toward his own squad, admitting that their plan did not come together today. He acknowledged the three-substitution approach that disrupted Girona’s rhythm and recognized that the collective effort did not translate into the desired result.
Cobos lauded his players and the energy from the stands, expressing a desire to see the arena filled with fans again. He reminded readers that the top level is unforgiving and that the best teams in the division demand relentless effort. While praising the commitment shown, he cautioned that more from the squad would be needed in future fixtures to meet the high expectations of supporters. The coach concluded that Real Madrid faced a tough test but remained confident in the quality within the squad, noting that the visitors controlled much of the play and that a single moment of quality from a Rodrygo or another player could decide a match in the end. Acknowledging the close nature of the contest, he suggested that the late stages could have swung in favor of either side and that Madrid did just enough to edge ahead.
The players themselves added their reflections. Iván Fernández highlighted the slickness of the surface, pointing out that slipping and sliding shaped much of the afternoon’s work. He praised the overall effort from his teammates and credited the campaign’s cumulative efforts for enabling them to challenge an entire Real Madrid lineup on their home soil. The sentiment from the squad aligned with the coaching staff: the pitch dictated much of the tempo, yet the team matched Madrid’s quality across long stretches and demonstrated resilience throughout the ninety minutes. The result offered a reminder that football is a game of inches and timing, where adaptability and collective resolve can bridge gaps created by unfavorable conditions and a formidable opponent. The postmatch atmosphere reflected a shared pride in the performance and in the way the supporters remained engaged and loud, underscoring the league’s passion and competitiveness.