Coach Carlo Ancelotti praises Real Madrid’s attitude in 3-3 La Liga draw at Rayo Vallecano
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures during the Spanish La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano which ended 3-3.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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MADRID – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti lamented his side’s defensive mistakes and missed opportunities in their 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Dec 14, but said he was not worried about the result, praising his players’ effort.
Despite acknowledging the lack of focus in defence, the Italian said that he saw plenty of positives from his side who, he believes, are moving in the right direction.
Real missed the chance to overtake leaders Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga, as the draw moved them a point behind the Catalan side. Barca host Leganes on Dec 15, with the match kicking off after press time.
“It was a complete game, which also included many errors, but I thought we didn’t suffer as much as the final result would suggest,” Ancelotti insisted after the match.
“I was much more worried about those draws against Mallorca and Las Palmas... Now we have the attitude and commitment of last year and that is promising. I look ahead and I see a 2025 that is very positive, although I could be wrong. It’s very good, with the players showing a lot of desire and enthusiasm.
“We’re in the hunt for everything we’re playing for. We’re doing well, despite the many difficulties we’ve had due to injuries. Today we started without a lot of first-team players. When they all come back, the team will be much better.”
Defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao will be sidelined for several months with anterior cruciate ligament tears sustained early in the season, while David Alaba is still to return from the same injury, suffered in 2023.
Forward Kylian Mbappe, fullback Ferland Mendy and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga have short-term injuries.
Rayo scored after four minutes on the counter when Jorge de Frutos ran past Fran Garcia before crossing to the unmarked Unai Lopez, whose header at the far post beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
They extended their lead when Abdul Mumin nodded home from a corner in the 36th minute.
However, a thunderous Federico Valverde strike from long range got Real back in the game three minutes later, with Rodrygo finding Jude Bellingham, who netted a first-time effort from inside the box to level just before the break.
Rodrygo then gave Real the lead in the 56th minute with a deflected strike from the edge of the area.
Rayo stunned them again when Isi Palazon also deflected a cross into the net to share the points.
REUTERS, AFP
