Carlo Ancelotti questions Real Madrid's attitude against RCD Mallorca but admits he could have been wrong
Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti rarely loses his cool during his press conferences, but he was decidedly grumpy with his team's efforts during their 1-1 draw with RCD Mallorca on Sunday night. Los Blancos began their title defense by dropping points, and the Italian manager questioned his team's attitude.
During his flash interview after the match, Ancelotti explained that his team had lost balance in the field, which was one of the main concerns surrounding the arrival of Kylian Mbappe in the team. Perhaps more worryingly for the Real Madrid squad, he questioned his attitude.
“The defense was not good, it was difficult for us to win the ball after losing it. This is where we need to improve, when I talk about defending, we talk about attitude and collective commitment,” said Ancelotti. Marco.
“The team was too open. We have to focus more and be more concentrated, be more compact. People may think that it is a problem of the attackers, but when the attackers press, the midfielders do not help and the defenders remain in behind. It's neither one nor the other.”
“People may think it's a problem of the strikers, but when the strikers press, the midfielders don't help and the defenders stop. It's not one or the other.”
Carlo Ancelotti Mr #RealMadridStruggles to defend and keep the ball last night against #RCDMallorca. (Mark) pic.twitter.com/9cp37u1woB
— Football España (@footballespana_) August 19, 2024
Perhaps he left the door open to criticism about his decisions regarding substitutions, but equally it could be more of a dismissal of the noisy talk around Real Madrid.
“Everyone has their opinion on the changes, they are small details. They may or may not be late.”
Ancelotti brought on Luka Modric for Aurelien Tchouameni after 63 minutes, but did not refresh his team again until the 88th minute, when he made a triple change; Arda Guler, Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz come in for Rodrygo Goes, Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior. The Blancos face Real Valladolid later on Sunday night at the Santiago Bernabeu for Mabppe's home debut.
