Martí Cifuentes openly acknowledged the lackluster showing put forth by QPR in their recent clash against Derby County, expressing disappointment in the team’s performance and the nature of the conceded goals that led to their 2-0 defeat at Pride Park.
A rapid-fire pair of goals by Curtis Nelson and Marcus Harness secured the win for the Rams, marking their fourth victory in five home games in the Championship this season. The first goal stemmed from a set-piece, an area Cifuentes had emphasized in preparations, yet Nelson managed to score unmarked before Harness swiftly added a second goal.
Reflecting on the match, Cifuentes conceded, “We didn’t handle the corner well for the first goal, and the subsequent mistake right after kickoff is puzzling. We understand the quality Derby possesses in dead-ball situations, having worked specifically on defending corner kicks with that in mind. The responsibility lies on me to ensure the players grasp our objectives and improve.”
Acknowledging the team’s shortcomings, Cifuentes stressed the need for collective improvement and unity amid a challenging run of results. Despite frustrations, he remains focused on refining the team’s performance during the upcoming break, expressing confidence in the team’s progress moving forward and addressing the fans’ discontent with determination to bounce back stronger.
