Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team "must find an improvement fast" after their 1-1 draw at Las Palmas left them four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona at the top of the table.
Alberto Moleiro put Las Palmas ahead in the fifth minute, and Vinícius Júnior levelled with a second-half penalty, as Madrid were held for the second time in three league games, following their opening 1-1 draw at Mallorca.
Kylian Mbappé played the full 90 minutes --- taking nine shots, two of them on target, for an xG (expected goals) of 0.51 --- but was unable to score for the third game in a row.
"It was a bad first half," Ancelotti admitted in his post-match news 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 [in the draw] against Mallorca. I didn't see an improvement in the team. We must find an improvement fast, and I think we'll find it."
Spanish champions Madrid began the season winning the UEFA Super Cup -- with Mbappé on the scoresheet -- before beginning their 2024-25 LaLiga campaign by dropping two points at Mallorca.
They beat Real Valladolid 3-0 at home on Sunday, and after Thursday's draw at Las Palmas, they will host Real Betis on Sunday, before travelling to Real Sociedad after the international break.
"It's been hard for us to find the solidity we had last year," Ancelotti said. "We can't look for excuses, we have to improve fast, we have another game on Sunday.
"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... These three games have shown me a lot of things that aren't going well."
Ancelotti made four changes to his team against Las Palmas, with Lucas Vázquez, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric and Brahim Díaz coming in, without a notable improvement.
"The play is slow, there isn't much mobility, and without the ball it's hard for us to be compact," Ancelotti said. "We're leaving spaces between the lines. The problem is clear, we have to find the solution ... When there's a problem, the coach has to take the responsibility."
The Italian also insisted that Madrid wouldn't look to strengthen before the transfer window closes on Friday, saying "the squad is closed."
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
