Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team are improving "little by little" after their 4-1 comeback win against Espanyol in LaLiga on Saturday.
Madrid failed to score in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu -- they've only scored one first-half goal all season -- and went behind to a Thibaut Courtois own goal not long after the interval.
The introduction of Vinícius Júnior -- who was rested at the start -- changed the game, as goals from Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, Vinícius and Kylian Mbappé gave Madrid all three points.
"I thought it was a good game, we reacted well after Espanyol's goal," Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference. "We played better, with more rhythm, we had more chances.
"We played faster, moving the ball with more speed, with better movement ... our mobility is a very important weapon. The third goal was spectacular, a fantastic counter attack. Little by little we're getting back to our best version."
Madrid haven't always impressed this season, but they're unbeaten with four wins and two draws in LaLiga, and have now gone a total of 38 league games undefeated, a run stretching back to September 2023.
There's been a stark difference between their first- and second-half displays, with 17 of their 18 goals in all competitions coming after half-time.
"We talked about it with the players before the game, to see if we could change that dynamic, and we couldn't," Ancelotti said. "Thirty-eight games without losing shows the team has done very well."
Ancelotti dismissed concerns about midfielder Jude Bellingham -- who needed treatment to his shoulder after an awkward fall -- saying "it doesn't look like anything worrying."
He also praised the contribution of teenage forward Endrick, who came off the bench and won the late penalty that Mbappé converted.
"[Endrick] is training very well, but up front we have Rodrygo, Mbappé and Vinícius," Ancelotti said. "We have to be patient."
FORMER Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is set to sell a signed match-worn Real Madrid shirt to help save endangered pygmy hippos.The German, 31, is already the honorary sponsor of Berlin Zoo's pygmy hippo, Toni.Antonio Rudiger has teamed up with Berlin Zoo to protect pygmy hipposBut now the centre-back has partnered with the zoo for an auction which will take place on the online platform Catawiki...
The Gunners are seeking reinforcements for Mikel Arteta's squad.Arda Guler has struggled for starts at Real MadridAnd they see similarities with their club captain Martin Odegaard.The Norwegian, 25, had arrived at the Bernabeu as a highly-rated teen, but found game time hard to come by during the first half of the 2020-21 season.In January 2021 the Gunners moved to sign him on loan, before making ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Big GabrielSporting 1-5 Arsenal Who will win this month's Manager of the Month award? What happens when you come up against Saliba and Gabriel... Wayne Rooney, a true legend on and off the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo in the iconic white and gold jersey brings back so many unforgettable memories! Throwback to THIS Beautiful Moment when Lionel Messi scored his 50th ca...
Bellingham admits 'vibrations' were key to Liverpool snubJude Bellingham has revealed how close he came to joining Liverpool, and the "vibrations" he felt when Real Madrid came calling."It wasn't as close as it was said," Bellingham said ahead of Real's Champions League clash with Liverpool. "There were conversations. There was Dortmund and I did it with several clubs. When Real Madrid call you, t...
Manchester City's Champions League match on Tuesday night was marred by crowd trouble, with Feyenoord fans causing chaos at the Etihad Stadium. The Dutch supporters, escorted by police from the city centre to the stadium, filled all three tiers of the South Stand.After City scored three goals, Feyenoord managed to net one with about 15 minutes left, leading to riot police stepping in to prevent cl...
Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists Mohamed Salah isn't unsettled over his contract situation.After scoring twice in victory at Southampton on Sunday, Salah revealed he had not heard from management about a new deal. His current contract expires in June."The only thing I can say is, if I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out," said Slot."I don't think he's distracted at all. I haven't seen that...
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he doesn't fully understand how the new Champions League format worked after his team earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday to improve their chances of reaching the knockout stage.Bayern needed a first-half goal from defender Kim Min-Jae to battle past 10-man PSG and claim a third win in five matches."I don't look at the table...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. The reason why Man City lost 5 matches in a row Erling Haaland lol Cucuruku Cook that thing… This The Man United cycle. This Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The Portuguese has promised to not sign any Sporting CP stars in the winter window.However, all bets are off in the summer, with A Bola stating that Geovany Quenda is the main target.United are said to be preparing an offer of £50M plus bonuses to secure the young winger.Amorim can use Quenda in either wing-back position, while he is also capable of playing in the front three.Another player U...
The Algerian's contract expires in the summer of 2026 and he is believed to be eyeing a move away from Molineux.Rayan Ait-Nouri is wanted by Man UtdThat has put United are on red alert for a player as Amorim has made signing a left-back a priority.He wants to boost his options give Luke Shaw's injury record.Shaw could also eventually move into the back-three once the former Sporting Lisbon manager...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 3 Chelsea make Nkunku sale call amid ManUtd interest
- 4 €60-70m could bring star to Liverpool or Man Utd
- 5 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 6 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year
- 7 Daily Laugh - Antony and his latest ManUtd session
- 8 Mia Khalifa slams rumours of 'affair with ex-Prem star Julian Alvarez'
- 9 Amorim targets Sporting Lisbon's Quenda
- 10 Thierry Henry poses with rarely-seen partner Andrea on red carpet