Carlo Ancelotti praises Real Madrid’s return to form in victory over Girona
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Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe (top) and Girona defender David Lopez vie for the ball during their La Liga clash which Real won 3-0, on Dec 7.
PHOTO: AFP
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GIRONA – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with his team’s display after their resounding 3-0 victory at Girona in the Spanish La Liga on Dec 7 following recent disappointing performances.
Ancelotti’s side arrived at the Montilivi Stadium following a midweek 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao, their fourth defeat in the last seven games in all competitions.
Their win closed the gap on leaders Barcelona to two points, with a game in hand, as they regained control of the title race despite scrutiny of key players like Kylian Mbappe and a lengthy injury list including talisman Vinicius Jr.
“(Jude) Bellingham has scored his fifth (league) goal in a row. He’s back and in good form. Mbappe scored today too... We have to hang in there, little by little we’re coming back,” Ancelotti said.
“We had to hold on at the beginning because (Girona) pushed hard. We did a good job collectively, and then we handled the advantage well. The team had more clarity and more idea. I think the second half went very well.”
Bellingham opened the scoring before half-time and set up Turkish playmaker Arda Guler for Real’s second, before Mbappe produced a clinical finish for their third.
Both Bellingham and defender Ferland Mendy were replaced with apparent knocks in the second half ahead of the Champions League clash at Atalanta on Dec 10. Ancelotti confirmed Bellingham was “available” for the game but said Mendy had suffered a muscle injury.
Ancelotti also praised Guler’s performance after the 19-year-old delivered a solid overall performance despite limited playing time this season. He said: “He wasn’t good in the first half but in the second half he scored a fantastic goal.
“What I want to highlight is his work. He runs a lot and helps the team.
“His goal takes a bit of pressure off him. He’s a young player with a lot of pressure around him and it’s good for him to take a bit of pressure off.”
The Spanish champions now turn their attention to the Champions League where they will be looking to move up from 24th place – the last spot that qualifies for the knockout-round play-offs.
Ancelotti said he expected Vinicius and Brazilian compatriot Rodrygo to return to action against their Serie A opponents.
Earlier, Real Betis twice came behind to clinch a 2-2 draw and stop Barcelona from triumphing in Seville.
Assane Diao levelled in the 94th minute to stun Barcelona, who opened the scoring after 39 minutes through Robert Lewandowski.
After Giovani lo Celso levelled for the mid-table hosts from the penalty spot, substitute Ferran Torres struck what seemed the winner before Diao’s late intervention.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his team had to improve on the road, where most of their setbacks have come.
“We have the quality to win every match but we also have to show that,” said the German. “(In) the away matches we have to be much stronger than we played (at home).” REUTERS, AFP
