Carlo Ancelotti praises Real Madrid for 'not losing their heads' after Barcelona loss
By Sean Walsh
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has praised his players for 'not losing their heads' after they were thrashed 4-0 at home to rivals Barcelona last month.
Los Blancos went into the March international break off the back of a humiliating Clasico defeat that led to many writing off their Champions League prospects.
However, Real beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their quarter-final and have also beaten Celta Vigo and Getafe in successive La Liga games.
Speaking after Saturday's triumph against Getafe, Ancelotti hailed how his side responded to last month's setback.
"We didn't lose our heads after the Barcelona game. We had the advantage and we had to manage it sensibly," Ancelotti said.
"Today could have been a bit of a banana skin after the Champions League game but the team responded well, we controlled the ball, pressed well and didn't take any risks at the back. Everything went really well".
Real's win saw them move 12 points clear at the top of the table, with Ancelotti closing in on becoming the first manager to win each of Europe's top five leagues.
When asked if finally claiming glory in Spain would be his most special league title, Ancelotti said: "It's difficult to say because all the titles are important. I don't want to dwell on it because the league isn’t over yet. We have the advantage, but we also have some very tough games. I’d rather answer this question at the end of the season."