Ancelotti: "We tried to start strongly to avoid any problems" | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press at the Santiago Bernabéu following Real Madrid's win over U.D. Las Palmas on LaLiga matchday seven: "I'm concerned by the end of the second half, we really let our rhythm drop off and we didn't have the game under control. We defended too deep with a lack of intensity. We tried to start strongly in order to avoid any problems and we won the ball back very well. In the first half, all we lacked was a bit of a clinical edge and in the second half we were missing the intensity. It's a period of the season when lots of teams struggle to find that intensity because fatigue sets in."

"Long balls are an option to break through the lines and get in near the goalkeeper. It's an option we need to have. I'm not a super fan of possession, I'm more about goals. There is always room for improvement. We linked up really well at times. That's the coach's job. The focus was on pressing hard and giving it our all for the first twenty minutes. In that sense, the forwards lacked a bit of sharpness on their finishing in the first half."

Goalscorers "Brahim and Joselu both contributed great things to the team. They could have found a bit more precision in the first half but we created danger thanks to the quality they both possess. When a player who gets less game time has his chance and plays really well, we're always thrilled because it means he's working hard and is motivated."

"Brahim can play anywhere across the front. If he plays as a number 10, he has to do more defensive work that doesn't fit his characteristics. When he plays as one of the forwards, he moves brilliantly with the ball at his feet and he has such quality. Against a team who play very narrow, he has that ability in tight areas so that really helps us. He's got such tremendous quality in tight areas."

Alaba and Rüdiger "We have got Mendy back and Carvajal will be ready for the next match. Rüdiger has a bit of discomfort, it's a knock, but we think he'll be alright for the next game. Alaba has a problem with his abductor and I doubt he will play on Saturday. We have to see how Rüdiger and Nacho go. Marvel and Carrillo came up from the academy and trained with us too, they're great players. I think Rüdiger will be okay." Modrić and Bellingham on the bench “They were tired, especially Bellingham, so I opted to rest them to avoid any issues. The players are well aware how important it is to rotate. I try to manage the squad and we have to do that the best we can in the coming games. That will be the case until the next international break because fatigue does play a big part and there are lots of injuries in this period. It's tough to have 100% performance levels at this stage of the season."

Vini Jr.'s return "He came on and showed real hunger and motivation. He wanted to score and help the team. Of course, he's lacking a bit of sharpness after a month out but he's fully recovered and he has to prepare himself well so he's ready for Saturday. He's going to start the game."

Rodrygo "All forwards go through these spells. When you're not scoring, the nerves creep in, you worry. That's what's happening at the moment and we have to try and fill him with confidence. He didn't score today but he made an amazing assist for Joselu to net the second. I think he did enough in the game, but goals are very important to him and they'll come once he stops thinking too hard about scoring. He has to keep working hard and the goals will come, with the quality he possesses."

Arda Güler's injury "It was bad luck. He finished yesterday's training session really well, he even scored the last goal of the game. Then he felt something in his thigh and he's picked up a slight injury. The player is sad because he was feeling in good shape. We'll have to wait on him a bit longer. It's only a small issue but it meant he wasn't available to get some minutes today, which was the original plan."

Gil Marín's comments "I pay no attention to what the owner or CEO of Atlético de Madrid has to say. Everyone is entitled to say or do whatever they like. All I will say is that he's got that very wrong. Nobody is perfect."