Real Madrid had a difficult Sunday and the result they got in Valencia after facing Levante was not what they were expecting. One point is a fair reward when taking in consideration how the game went. Carlo Ancelotti spoke for the media after the game and pointed out what did not go well with the team and how they will try to improve for the upcoming matchdays.
Carlo Ancelotti took to the media room at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia and had the following to say: “It was crazy, after controlling the first half well we gave away two points. It’s hard to explain. I told the players that although we had the game under control, a little detail can change the match. They got braver, we had a bit of fear... We go home with a bit of a bad taste. With how we played in the first half, we had to win”.
He continued: “We did really well in the first half, we were compact as a team and worked well together. In the second half, we didn’t come out with a good attitude because we conceded a goal that could have been avoided early on and didn’t play as a compact unit for their second goal. We all have to work together. We have to improve defensively”.
Speaking about Vinicius: “Vinicius Jr. has the quality and is very quick. Is he a great goalscorer? I don’t know about that, because he enjoys playing out wide. He needs to score goals like the first one he got, by taking players on, because he’s quicker than his opponents. It’s tougher for him when in the box, but given his quality, he’s capable of scoring goals from range and in one-on-one situations. He’ll be an important for us. He may start next week’s game, we’ll have to see. It’s more important that you’re on the pitch at the end of the game rather than at the start and he did that today thanks to his freshness and ability”.
“Vinicius Jr. has scored three goals in two matches and that’s the sign of a really important player. I don’t give too much importance to who starts because I’ve got such a good squad. We’ve scored a lot of goals in these first two games. The problem isn’t whether Vinicius Jr. starts or not, the concern is if he isn’t scoring but he got two goals today”, he added.
About the Forwards: “I can’t tell you how many minutes they’re going to play. There’s a lot of competition up front. We’ve got some quality forwards like Bale, Vini Jr., Hazard, Benzema and Jović, who did well today. I have to enjoy that quality on the pitch by handing those who deserve to be out there the game time”.
Goals conceded: “Where we have gone wrong and dropped points is not in attack but in defence. To have more defensive solidity, everyone has to work. The third goal was unlucky. For the first, our defensive line wasn’t right and we were out of position. For the second, it was three against two and that can’t happen. It should at least be three against three when the cross came over”.
He was also questioned about substituting Isco. The decision was criticised by some given how well Isco was playing, but Ancelotti said it wasn’t anything personal and that he is simply keen to use his squad to keep things fresh: “The starting lineup that starts the game is never going to finish it. I want to use the five substitutes because I can put fresher people on. Asensio has done very well for me. Isco, Gareth and Hazard have had a good game”.
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