Real Madrid played their La Liga opener against Mallorca and ended up with a disappointing 1-1 draw. Manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his frustration with his team’s lack of balance and poor defending in the match. Despite taking an early lead through Rodrygo, Real Madrid allowed Mallorca to equalize with a Vedat Muriqi header in the second half. Ancelotti emphasized the need for his players to be more focused and work better as a group to avoid similar outcomes in the future.
The Real Madrid manager criticized his team’s performance and highlighted the mental aspect of the game as a key factor in their shortcomings. He stressed the importance of being more concentrated and showing better attitude on the field. Ancelotti acknowledged that there were clear issues in their defending, especially in a system that relies heavily on attacking players like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham. Real Madrid were at risk of losing the match due to their lack of balance and discipline, according to Ancelotti.
Ancelotti pointed out that his team struggled to maintain defensive balance and failed to press effectively after losing possession. He emphasized the collective commitment required in defending and highlighted the need for all players to work together in regaining possession. The Real Madrid manager stressed that defensive issues were not limited to certain positions on the field but were a team-wide problem that needed to be addressed quickly.
Despite starting the match well and having chances to extend their lead, Real Madrid’s lack of balance and defensive lapses cost them a victory against Mallorca. Ancelotti admitted that their attacking style of play needed to be complemented with a stronger defensive mindset to ensure better results in future matches. The manager emphasized the need for his players to understand the importance of defensive responsibilities and work together to improve their overall performance.
In conclusion, Real Madrid’s draw against Mallorca highlighted the importance of balance and discipline in their gameplay. Carlo Ancelotti’s criticism of the team’s defending and lack of focus serves as a wake-up call for the players to work on their collective commitment in both attacking and defensive phases of the game. The match showed areas where Real Madrid need to improve to reach their full potential in the current season. It remains to be seen how the team will respond to Ancelotti’s comments and strive for better results in upcoming matches.