Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that his team had to endure significant challenges to secure a narrow 3-2 victory over Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash.
The La Liga giants, hampered by injuries, displayed so much determination in a high-energy encounter, with goals from Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior sealing the win, Footballrover reports.
Real Madrid’s resilience tested by Atalanta
Despite their victory, coach Ancelotti acknowledged the difficulty of facing a determined Italian Serie A side that dominated the closing stages.
“We knew that we would have to suffer; we are still missing a lot of players, and that means we cannot be at our best, but we needed a performance like this in a very difficult arena against an Atalanta side that plays with a lot of intensity,” Ancelotti said.
Tactical adjustments to counter Atalanta’s threat
Ancelotti explained his tactical approach, noting that Real Madrid avoided employing a low block due to the height disadvantage of their centre-backs, which left them vulnerable to crosses.
Instead, they opted to keep Lookman’s Atalanta away from their defensive third, albeit with varying degrees of success.
The coach praised his players for adapting to the situation and creating numerous chances, with significant contributions from Mbappé, Bellingham, and Vinicius.
Injuries and squad depth a concern for Ancelotti
While Vinicius Junior made a successful return to the lineup, the Real Madrid coach revealed that Eduardo Camavinga is expected to return next week, with David Alaba set to join in January.
He expressed optimism about the team’s prospects once the squad is fully fit, emphasising the importance of staying competitive until Christmas despite their current limitations.
Madrid’s standing and future outlook
Despite the win, Real Madrid remain in 18th place in the Champions League group standings, awaiting Wednesday’s results.
However, coach Ancelotti remains confident that with a more complete squad, the team will improve and achieve greater consistency.
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