Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has praised his side’s attacking display following a comprehensive 4-2 victory over UD Almeria on Saturday.
Los Blancos put Tuesday’s shocking 4-2 defeat to mid-table Girona behind them and returned to winning ways in style, sweeping aside Almeria to keep tabs on Barcelona.
Karim Benzema netted a first-half hat trick taking his tally to 17 La Liga goals before Rodrygo sealed the tie, rendering goals from Lazaro and Lucas Robertone inconsequential.
The result keeps Ancelotti’s side 11 points behind the runaway La Liga leaders. With six games left to play, their chances of defending the league crown are slim at best.
However, Ancelotti was proud of his side’s attacking endeavour but was left unimpressed with their defending as Los Blancos failed to keep a clean sheet for the second consecutive game.
“The team is very dangerous in attack with the quality of Vini [Vinicius Junior], Benzema, and Rodrigo because we play very well when in possession – the match went very well offensively,” Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference (via the club’s official website).
“I know very well what the team is capable of defensively. What I don’t understand is how we’ve conceded six goals in two games.
“We relaxed today despite trying to focus in defence. We did very well pressing after we lost possession, and after we made it 3-0, our concentration slipped, and they scored a goal.
“I got angry in the dressing room, and we made it 4-1. Then we had another lapse in concentration, and they scored again. It’s a good wake-up call, as we conceded two goals in a short slump. It won’t happen in our upcoming games.”
Despite the gulf between Madrid and Barca in the La Liga standings, Ancelotti refused to throw in the towel in the title race insisting his side must win their remaining games to stand a chance.
“Everything can happen in football,” Ancelotti added. “We have to focus on ourselves, we’ve got six games left, and we have to win them.”
Los Blancos travel to face Real Sociedad on Tuesday before taking on Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final four days later.
