Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has brushed off criticism about his team’s playing style, emphasizing that winning is more important than playing attractive football. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s La Liga match against Espanyol, Ancelotti stressed that his primary focus is on securing victories, especially given the team’s current challenges with injuries and players still working towards their best form.
“Real Madrid fans prefer winning over playing well,” Ancelotti stated. “Of course, the ideal scenario is to win while playing beautiful football, but our main goal is to satisfy our fans, who have high expectations. Right now, our focus is on winning, especially as our squad is not yet at its peak.”
Despite being unbeaten with five wins in seven matches this season, Ancelotti acknowledged that his team is still not performing at its highest level, which he attributes to the early stage of a demanding calendar. “We’re not at our best yet, and that’s normal for this time of the season. We’ll improve as the season progresses, and as we begin to play for more significant stakes, we will reach our best form. For now, considering the circumstances, we are doing well,” he added during the press conference.
Real Madrid recently marked a hard-fought 3-1 win over Stuttgart in the Champions League, with midfielders Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni making their returns from injury. However, the squad still faces fitness issues, with David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, and Brahim Diaz sidelined for several more weeks.
Ancelotti also expressed confidence in forwards Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, who, despite struggling to find top form, have been improving week by week. He believes they will soon provide the attacking spark that Madrid needs to play a more direct and effective game.
When asked about the criticism of his team’s playing style, Ancelotti remained unfazed. “It doesn’t bother me because I see that the fans are delighted,” he said. “You can always play better, but the Madrid fans are used to our ‘rock and roll’ football—fast, intense, and direct. We don’t waste time reaching the opponent’s goal, and that’s our game. We have players with speed and strength, especially on the ball, and we need to take advantage of that.”
Ancelotti’s focus on winning, even if it means prioritizing results over style, underscores his pragmatic approach as Real Madrid aims to navigate through a challenging phase of the season.
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