Quique Sánchez Flores had no problems acknowledging that one of the keys to the loss was that “we lacked a bit of defensive forcefulness. Their first offensive attacks left us cold, but we got better as the minutes passed. We controlled the ball better and had scoring chances, but our goal arrived to later. Real Madrid is a tough team to create chances against and we had them. Our defensive strength had to be better in the first 15 minutes.”

With respect to the possible anxiety of his team, Quique assured that “we had the feeling that they finished off their attacks and we didn’t make the best decision in the final meters. I don’t think that the team was affected by the nerves of a derby; these things have happened over the course of the season. The fans want to win and one year we’ll do it. The players tried.”

The ‘rojiblanco’ manager also broke down the performance of the match referee, Teixeira Vitieines, saying that “I don’t like to speak about the referees. They didn’t play an influence in the result, but they did in the play. It would be better if he didn’t officiate for us from here until the end of the season. Against Almería, at home, he called a penalty on us that was very far outside the area. Against Athletic he sent off one of our players. He’s unlucky at the Vicente Calderón.

“Real Madrid is a very strong team physically speaking. My players tried their hardest, although it’s possible that at times were a bit rushed. We weren’t inferior to them and at times we played better and with more scoring chances. We’ve been in worse situations and moved forward. We have a goal, to be in European competition, and we’re going to fight to accomplish it. The important thing is the faith that one leans on on the path until achieving it. We’re going to try and do just that,” Quique Sánchez Flores wrapped up.