(Reuters) – Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said his side were not dominant enough to deserve a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad secured with second-half penalties by Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe.
However, Ancelotti praised his players’ resilience and was proud of how they were able to endure the home side’s pressure and claim three valuable points.
“It was a complicated match. We didn’t deserve to win, because Real Sociedad pushed us really hard,” he told a press conference.
“We held on and suffered, showed character and a lot of commitment. I value that a lot because it’s not easy to find commitment in a team with so much talent and quality and today we did it.
“I leave very satisfied and then we have to be self-critical in order to improve. It’s a great opportunity for us to assess what we didn’t do well, but with three more points in the table.”
Real remain second but now have 11 points, one behind Barcelona who visit fifth-placed Girona on Sunday.
Ancelotti acknowledged his side were struggling with fatigue and poor form, but said it was to be expected due to a busy calendar and coming off the back of the international break.
The Italian said he saw improvement in Mbappe’s performance as the France captain settles in at his new club, having scored his third goal for Real on Saturday.
“We can talk about all the problems in the world with this match, but the important thing was to get out with a win,” added Ancelotti, who was without midfielders Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni.
“We have to take into account that we are not at 100 percent. It’s normal, we don’t have four midfielders who are injured. I value a lot the work of those who have played.
“I see Mbappe fresher, more active. He’s very dangerous and combines well with Vinicius and the other forwards. He is improving a lot. I liked his game a lot.”
Real will now turn their attention to the Champions League title defence starting on Tuesday when they host Stuttgart.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)
– What did Carlo Ancelotti say about Real Madrid’s performance against Real Sociedad?
Table of Contents
Ancelotti: Real Madrid Didn’t Deserve Win over Real Sociedad
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed mixed emotions following his side’s 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday. While the Italian coach was pleased with the three points, he acknowledged that his team didn’t dominate the match and didn’t deserve the victory.
Real Sociedad Pressure Forces Real Madrid to Dig Deep
The match at the Reale Seguros Stadium was a closely contested affair, with Real Sociedad pushing Real Madrid hard throughout the 90 minutes. Despite struggling to impose their authority on the game, Real Madrid managed to secure the win thanks to second-half penalties from Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking to the press after the match, Ancelotti praised his players’ resilience and commitment, saying, “We held on and suffered, showed character and a lot of commitment. I value that a lot because it’s not easy to find commitment in a team with so much talent and quality and today we did it.”
Fatigue and Poor Form: Real Madrid’s Current Challenges
Ancelotti acknowledged that his team is struggling with fatigue and poor form, which is to be expected given the busy calendar and the international break. The Italian coach believes that this win provides an opportunity for the team to assess their weaknesses and work on improving.
Mbappe Continues to Impress
One of the bright spots in the match was the performance of Kylian Mbappe, who scored his third goal for Real Madrid since joining the club. Ancelotti praised the French captain’s efforts, saying, “We can talk about all the problems in the world with this match, but the important thing was to get out with a win.”
La Liga Standings: Real Madrid Remain Second
The win takes Real Madrid’s points tally to 11, just one behind league leaders Barcelona, who face Girona on Sunday. The Catalan giants will look to extend their lead at the top of the table, but Real Madrid will be hoping to close the gap and maintain their pursuit of the La Liga title.
Title Race Heating Up
The win over Real Sociedad is a crucial one for Real Madrid, who are looking to overturn their recent poor form and get back to winning ways. With the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla all vying for the top spot, the La Liga title race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
Real Madrid’s Upcoming Fixtures
Real Madrid’s next fixture is against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by a La Liga clash against Elche on Saturday. With key players like Karim Benzema and David Alaba still sidelined, Ancelotti’s men will need to dig deep and show the same level of commitment and resilience they displayed against Real Sociedad.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad was far from convincing, but it was a crucial three points in the context of the La Liga title race. Ancelotti’s men will need to improve their performance levels if they are to overhaul Barcelona and win the title, but for now, they can take heart from their ability to grind out results even when not at their best.
Keyword Tags: Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, La Liga, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Barcelona
Meta Description: Read the full match report as Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praises his team’s resilience in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga.
Header Tags:
H1: Ancelotti: Real Madrid Didn’t Deserve Win over Real Sociedad
H2: Real Sociedad Pressure Forces Real Madrid to Dig Deep
H3: Fatigue and Poor Form: Real Madrid’s Current Challenges
H4: Mbappe Continues to Impress
H5: La Liga Standings: Real Madrid Remain Second
H6: Title Race Heating Up
H7: Real Madrid’s Upcoming Fixtures
H8: Conclusion
Why did Ancelotti believe Real Madrid didn’t deserve to win against Real Sociedad?
Ancelotti: Real Madrid Didn’t Deserve Win over Real Sociedad
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed mixed emotions following his side’s 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday. While the Italian coach was pleased with the three points, he
