Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid manager wants no ‘excuses’ after draw at Las Palmas - ‘I didn't see an improvement’
Published 30/08/2024 at 11:15 GMT+1
A second 1-1 draw in three matches has left Carlo Ancelotti scrambling for a fast improvement to Real Madrid's disappointing displays. The Italian found issues with his side's balance, mobility and ball recovery as Vinicius Junior's penalty cancelled out an early Alberto Moleiro strike. The reigning champions now sit four points off league leaders Barcelona who boast a perfect start to the season.
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Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid “can’t look for excuses” after a 1-1 draw at Las Palmas left the reigning champions four points off the pace in La Liga.
Vinicius Junior’s penalty was the only positive on a frustrating night that saw Ancelotti’s side drop two points for the second time in three games.
Having kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw in Mallorca, Real Madrid were again wasteful in front of goal and Ancelotti was far from impressed with the balance of his team.
The 65-year-old admitted he has not seen an improvement since their opening day disappointment, but was confident he would find a solution.
"It was a bad first half, that is clear," said Ancelotti in his post-match press conference. “It was hard for us to find the goal. We had to hang on, suffer a bit.
"The team wasn't balanced, we weren't moving the ball quickly, it was hard for us to win the ball back - everything that happened against Mallorca.
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"I didn't see an improvement in the team. We must find an improvement fast, and I think we'll find it.
"It's been hard for us to find the solidity we had last year. We can't look for excuses. The calendar is tight and it is time to recover quickly because on Sunday there is already another game."
The 15-time UEFA Champions League winners face Real Betis this weekend, hoping to make up ground on league leaders Barcelona who have three wins from three.
Ancelotti insisted the club would not make any more signings in the transfer window and refused to praise his side’s chance creation; the visitors created 2.95 xG as per Sofascore.
"I have to be clearer in the strategy on the pitch, to give clarity to the players. It's been harder for us than we thought,” said Ancelotti. "These three games have shown me a lot of things that aren't going well.
"The play is slow, there isn't much mobility, and without the ball it's hard for us to be compact. We're leaving spaces between the lines."
And the Italian ruled out the possibility that the team’s effort was in question, arguing that it was up to him to fix the disappointing displays.
Ancelotti said: "I don't think it's a mental problem because the team is training well. It's a problem that sometimes happens in football, that you're not able to find the best way to play, to be solid and convincing. I don't see a lack of attitude or character.
"Things aren't going well and we have to fix it soon because the season has started and we can't drop points like the ones we've dropped in the last two away games.
"The problem is clear. We have to find the solution. When there's a problem, the coach has to take the responsibility."
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