Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti lamented his team’s defensive mistakes and missed chances during Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano, but said he was not worried about the result and praised his players’ effort.
Despite admitting to a lack of defensive focus, Ancelotti said he has seen a lot of positives in his team and he believes they are heading in the right direction.
Real missed the chance to overtake leaders Barcelona in La Liga, remaining in second place with 37 points from 17 games, one behind the Catalans, who host Leganes on Sunday when Atletico, third with 35 from 16 games, face Getafe.
“It was a complete match, which also had a lot of mistakes, but I think we didn’t suffer as much as the final result would suggest,” Ancelotti said at Saturday’s press conference.
“I was much more worried about the draws with Mallorca and Las Palmas… Now we have the attitude and commitment like last year, and that is promising.
“I look to the future and see 2025 as a very positive year, although I could be wrong. It’s very good, the players show a lot of willingness and enthusiasm.
“We hunt everything we play for. We are doing well despite the many difficulties we have faced due to injuries. Today we started without a large number of first-team players, as many as seven. When everyone comes back, the team will be much better.
Defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao will be sidelined for several months with anterior cruciate ligament injuries they suffered at the start of the season, while David Alaba is yet to return from the same injury he suffered last year. Striker Kylian Mbappe, defender Ferland Mendy and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga have short-term injuries.
Ancelotti defended his decision to keep winger Vinicius Jr. on the bench from the start because he didn’t want to risk any setbacks after the Brazilian only returned last week after missing four games with a leg muscle injury.
“He was coming back from injury and we wanted to be careful with him. I think he played a good match,” Ancelotti said.
“It was hard to see my players giving more than they did today. I see a good future ahead of me. We have to win the Intercontinental Cup (against Pachuca) on Wednesday – that would be the icing on the cake (after the La Liga-Champions League double).”
