Carlo Ancelotti refutes crisis talk

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that it is too early to suggest that his Real Madrid team are in crisis following tonight's 2-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Having won a Spanish record 22 consecutive games in all competitions, Ancelotti's side have now lost their last two after losing their first-leg last-16 clash at the Vicente Calderon to compound a trying few days for the club.

The Blancos surrendered their winning streak by losing 2-1 to Valencia at the weekend, but the Italian dismissed the notion that these results signal a crisis.

"That's a bit much [to say the club is in crisis]," he told SportYou. "We are not happy with these two games. We have to pick up a win again soon.

"We've got Espanyol on Saturday and then we play the second leg [against Atleti].

"We have a chance, but not much. Atletico have the advantage and we have to give our all."

Second-half goals from Raul Garcia and Jose Gimenez helped Diego Simeone's side to victory over their bitter local rivals.