Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has come out in defence of his players after their Champions League exit at the hands of Juventus.
The defending champions drew 1-1 at home to Juve on Wednesday to lose their semi-final tie 3-2 on aggregate.
“We gave everything we had to win this game,” Ancelotti said on his club’s official website.
“We fought, worked hard and played well.
“We had a lot of opportunities and I have nothing to reproach my team for.
“We’re sad about the result.
“I’m 100 per cent proud of my players. I thank them because they gave their all.”
Real looked to be heading for a good night when Cristiano Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot midway through the first half to level the tie.
I know how things work in football and the club is within its right to change coach if it isn’t happy
However, former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata struck a 57th-minute equaliser and the Spanish outfit could not find a winner.
“The team put in a really great effort,” Ancelotti said.
“We had chances to score. The difference was very little, just small details.
“We weren’t very lucky and that has to be taken into account.
“You can be unlucky, and if there is anything to be reproached it would be the first leg, which we could have done differently.”
The Italian tactician, who led Real when they clinched a record 10th European Cup in his first season in charge, has told his players they must move on.
Real are second in the Primera Division, four points adrift of league leaders Barcelona with two games remaining.
“We have to fight hard in the two games that we have left, because La Liga still hasn’t been decided,” Ancelotti said.
Wednesday’s disappointment could prove costly for Ancelotti, whose side could finish the season empty-handed. Reports in Spain claim Real may opt to make a coaching change this summer.
When asked about his future, Ancelotti, whose contract with Real expires in June 2016, said: “We have to finish off the season well and after that we’ll talk.
“If the club is happy with the job I’ve done we can continue, and if they aren’t happy they have to make a decision.
“I would like to stay here. I know how things work in football and the club is within its right to change coach if it isn’t happy.
“There’s no need for me to mark myself out of 10.
“I give myself 10 because I always put a lot of time into my work, because I like it.
“I don’t like marking myself out of 10, that’s for the club to do.”