Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was beaming after his side’s impressive comeback win against Espanyol in their La Liga clash on Saturday. Despite a rare own goal by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid showcased their fighting spirit, eventually emerging victorious with a resounding 4-1 scoreline.
Ancelotti was particularly impressed with his team’s ability to stay composed under pressure. He praised their dominance in the second half, attributing the win to goals from Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, and the newly acquired Kylian Mbappe, who neutralized Courtois’ early second-half blunder.
“We did well, with combinations inside, even if it didn’t all work out, we always kept trying,” Ancelotti shared in the post-match press conference. “In the second half, with the game open… it’s a context that suits us. It’s clear, tonight was rock & roll. We started well and reacted well after the 0-1. It was complete.”
Ancelotti went on to highlight his team’s improved performance compared to previous matches, stating, “We played better than in other matches; with more rhythm and generating more chances. It was a good game. At the back, the recovery was good, as was the pressure after a loss. We came out with a good dynamic, little by little we are getting back to our best. I am happy.”
With Real Madrid boasting an undefeated streak in La Liga spanning almost an entire year, Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with his team’s consistency and their ability to find ways to win, even amidst injuries and fluctuations in form.
“We have now gone 38 games unbeaten and that means that we are doing things very well,” Ancelotti affirmed. “However, in this season there is a fact that must be highlighted: we only scored one goal in the first half. It’s something to be aware. I have talked about it with the players before the game, to see if I could change this dynamic. We couldn’t, but we have played with more intensity.”
Real Madrid now faces Alaves at home on Tuesday before a highly anticipated derby clash against local rivals Atletico Madrid next weekend. Ancelotti and his squad will be looking to maintain their winning momentum as they gear up for these crucial fixtures.
