Ancelotti laments after Valencia beat Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti lamented his side’s missed chances in a 2-1 home defeat by Valencia on Saturday, but urged his players to regain some focus ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash at Arsenal next week.

Valencia did leaders Barcelona a huge favour by shocking title-chasing Real in their first win away from home in La Liga this season thanks to a brilliant performance by Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Second-placed Real have 63 points from 30 games, three behind leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand when they host Real Betis later on Saturday, with eight games remaining.

Ancelotti acknowledged that winning La Liga had become a long shot but that it should not affect their Copa del Rey and Champions League campaigns.

“We have lost the opportunity to fight for the league with more forcefulness but the (Spanish Cup final) against Barcelona and the Arsenal clash will be different,” Ancelotti told a press conference on Saturday.

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“(Arsenal and Barcelona) will attack more and the game script will be much different. Sure, we will have to be better at the back and be effective up front, but can’t lose focus.

“It’s a fact that it is not that hard for our opponents to score against us at the moment. But that is no use moaning about it.

“This is not a deserved defeat (against Valencia). Could we have done better? Sure, but it’s not a lack of attitude. We deserved to win and it was because of details. We have to move on and focus on Arsenal on Tuesday.”

Ancelotti was unsure who he will name in goal at Arsenal as he was forced to start 19-year-old academy goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez against Valencia with Thibaut Courtois and Ukrainian replacement Andriy Lunin sidelined with injuries.

“Courtois practiced today and he felt good about it. Because it is still unclear if he will be good to go, we decided not to risk by playing Lunin today. Both will have a few more days to recover and we will see on Tuesday which options we have,” Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti laments after Valencia beat Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho banned for three games, fined $7734

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for three matches and fined around 6,000 pounds ($7,734.00) after grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in the Istanbul derby, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Saturday.

The incident occurred at the end of the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, which Mourinho’s side lost 2-1 at home.

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A mass scuffle had broken out between both sets of players, with the referee sending three players off, two from Galatasaray, and after the final whistle the 62-year-old Portuguese appeared to pinch Buruk’s nose who then fell dramatically to the ground.

“Mourinho shall be banned from entering the dressing room and the bench for three official matches,” TFF said in a statement.

Jose Mourinho will miss the games against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor.

Fenerbahce are second in the Super Lig, trailing leaders Galatasaray by six points with a game in hand.

Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the second half, including a penalty, to guide Al-Nassr to a 3-1 win over Al-Hilal in the race for the Saudi Pro League title on Friday.

Al-Nassr remain in the third place with 54 points but they are now three points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and seven off leaders Al-Ittihad, who visit Al-Ahli on Saturday.

Al-Nassr opened the scoring before the interval when Ali Al Hassan curled a shot past goalkeeper Yassin Bono.

Ronaldo made it 2-0 two minutes after the break with a precise shot after a pass from Sadio Mane.

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Reigning champions Al-Hilal tried to fight back playing on the counter attack and reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute through Ali Al Bulayhi’s close-range header after a corner.

However, Ronaldo wrapped up the points for Al-Nassr with a penalty in the 88th minute awarded for a handball by substitute Mouteb Al-Harbi following a VAR review.

“The team effort was crucial to this win and me scoring is important but it’s more important to win” Ronaldo told SSC.

“I work hard to help the team in the SPL and Champions League and don’t concentrate on individual records” he added.

Ronaldo’s brace powers Al-Nassr to derby win over Al-Hilal