Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that his team struggled with balance and control during their match against lowly Leganés but praised their intensity in fighting back to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over their city rivals on Saturday.
Ancelotti noted that despite some defensive lapses that allowed them to concede two goals and head into halftime trailing 2-1, his players performed well enough to move level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona, who were scheduled to play on Sunday.
“I don’t think we played a bad game. We had control, but what we lacked was balance, which led to the two goals we conceded,” Ancelotti told reporters. “They hurt us on the counterattack, and when we lost possession, we suffered. We could have managed the lead better. Even with the 3-2 scoreline, we found it challenging, but that’s to be expected after the international break. It takes time to regain our rhythm.”
Real Madrid initially took the lead with a penalty from Kylian Mbappé, but they were quickly equalized by Diego García, who scored before Dani Raba put Leganés ahead just before halftime.
“After the penalty, we should have managed the situation better. The team was not well positioned, and we conceded,” Ancelotti added.
He stressed that it was not a lack of focus that caused the issues and noted that enduring tough matches is part of the game.
“We had the intensity. We showed it in the second half and managed to turn the game around,” he said. “You have to suffer. I don’t recall a game where we haven’t had to suffer. What matters is that we go through it together. When sacrifices are needed, we all make them.”
Ancelotti also praised Mbappé for his performance, highlighting that the forward scored twice to reach 33 goals in all competitions for the club this season, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally in his first season at Real Madrid.
“He’s doing really well—much more active and more involved in the game,” Ancelotti said of the French captain. “He has adapted well and is making the difference, which is exactly what we expect from him.”
Real Madrid will host Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday, holding a 1-0 lead, before welcoming Valencia in La Liga next Saturday and then visiting Arsenal for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
