Ancelotti talks Mbappe, Guler, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona after Real Madrid 3-2 Leganes | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media after Real Madrid’s narrow 3-2 win over Leganes, sharing his thoughts on a game he considered far from perfect but ultimately positive.

The Italian highlighted areas where the team showed improvement while also acknowledging certain aspects that need better control moving forward.

Ancelotti noted that Real Madrid struggled with maintaining balance throughout the first half. The team appeared vulnerable to counterattacks, which created dangerous moments for the opposition.

However, in the second half, Real Madrid displayed better organisation and control, allowing them to come back and secure the victory.

“We didn’t play a bad game. We lacked balance, but we had control of the game. That lack of balance led to some dangerous counterattacks.

“Did we suffer? I can’t remember a game where we didn’t struggle. I think we should have managed our lead better, and at 3-2 we shouldn’t have suffered so much,” he began saying.

Refereeing decisions

Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid lacked balance. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

On the topic of refereeing decisions, Ancelotti acknowledged that both teams had reasons to feel aggrieved.

While Leganes raised complaints, Real Madrid could also point to incidents that appeared unfair, such as a foul on Brahim during Leganes’ second goal.

However, Ancelotti chose not to dwell on the referee’s decisions, recognising that officials make their calls based on what they see at the moment.

“Just as Leganes complains, we can complain because there was a foul on Brahim in the 1-2. I didn’t see Bellingham’s play. The referee made his choice, and that’s it.”

Mbappe’s level and his freekick

Mbappe scored two goals against Leganes. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Turning his attention to individual performances, Ancelotti was particularly impressed with Kylian Mbappe’s impact.

The Frenchman looked sharp, energetic, and increasingly in tune with the team’s style of play.

“He’s doing very well, very active, and much more adapted to the team’s game. He’s making a difference.”

Ancelotti explained that Mbappe had rehearsed the free-kick technique during training, showing confidence and precision when given the opportunity in the match.

“He tried it yesterday, it went really well, and today, he wanted to try it again. Yes, he had rehearsed it yesterday… and we’ve given him our trust.”

On Arda Guler

Carlo Ancelotti was happy with Guler’s performance. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Additionally, the manager offered praise for Guler, who showcased his quality during the game.

Ancelotti acknowledged that while Guler may not possess the same flair as some of the team’s other attackers, his vision and understanding of the game make him a valuable asset.

“He played well, he showed his quality because he sees the game very well. He’s not as unbalanced as the other strikers, but he sees the game very well and has a lot of quality,” said the manager.

La Liga title race

Looking ahead, Ancelotti recognised that the La Liga title race remains a fierce battle involving multiple top teams.

While many view Barcelona and Real Madrid as the primary contenders, he did not rule out Atletico Madrid’s determination to compete until the end.

“Atletico will fight until the end because that’s what a professional team does, and they’re a very serious team. They’ll fight just like we and Barcelona will,” he added.

Source: MARCA