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Ancelotti: Madrid only settled after Isco opener

Carlo Ancelotti spoke of the calming effect Isco's opener had on Real Madrid CF after his team "struggled a bit in the first half" against a Galatasaray AŞ side who "lost in a terrible way".

Isco set Madrid on their way, before Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage
Isco set Madrid on their way, before Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage ©AFP/Getty Images

Fatih Terim, Galatasaray coach
There's not much to say after a defeat like that, but we lost the game in a terrible way. Madrid didn't have a chance in the first half, whereas we had three or four. We suddenly conceded goals without any apparent reason. We started the second half well, but following a dreadful mistake the score became 2-0. After that my players gave up the game, because both physically and in terms of morale you can't fight against the situation.

The result could have been worse, it's such a shame. Sometimes it only takes little mistakes against an established team who are slightly better than you. At this level, there is no room for sympathy. I apologise to the Galatasaray fans, all blame is on me. The first goal we conceded was the turning point in the match.

Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid coach
It's a fantastic result. It's true that we struggled a bit in the first half, above all at the start of the game. Then Isco scored, which calmed us a lot, and after that the game changed and things became easier for us. We managed the game well, especially on the counterattack.

When Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both have good nights it makes things that much easier. The result is great for us, good for boosting our confidence, personality and character. When you win at this stadium, where there is a lot of pressure, it's a good thing. The game started with a lot of pressure, but in the end we came good.

[Iker] Casillas took a knock across his back. It's only a knock, but he couldn't continue. He was unlucky, because he started well and made a good save. It was just bad luck. Galatasaray played well in the first half and caused us problems. We were lacking confidence and personality at the start. That’s normal – it was a UEFA Champions League game in a difficult stadium.

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