Real Madrid Stumble: Ancelotti Demands "Rapid Improvement" After Las Palmas Draw
Carlo Ancelotti has called for a swift improvement from his Real Madrid side after a disappointing 1-1 draw at Las Palmas left them four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The reigning Spanish champions have struggled for consistency in their opening league matches, dropping points in their first two outings. Despite a comfortable 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid last weekend, the draw in the Canary Islands highlighted lingering issues with the team's balance and dynamism.
Las Palmas took the lead in the fifth minute through Alberto Moleiro, before VinÃcius Júnior equalised from the penalty spot in the second half. Despite Kylian Mbappé playing the full 90 minutes and registering two shots on target, the French forward was unable to find the net for the third consecutive game.
Ancelotti acknowledged the team's shortcomings in his post-match press conference, stating, "It was a bad first half. We found it difficult to break down their defence and had to rely on our resilience." He continued, "The team lacked balance, we were slow in moving the ball and struggled to win it back. The same issues that we saw in the draw against Mallorca were evident again. We haven't seen enough improvement, and we must find it quickly."
The Italian manager highlighted the need for his players to adapt to a more cohesive strategy, admitting, "We've found it difficult to replicate the solidity we had last season. We can't make excuses, we need to improve rapidly, as we have another game on Sunday." He concluded, "I need to provide greater clarity in our approach on the pitch to give my players a clearer understanding. These three games have revealed significant areas where we are not performing at our best."
Ancelotti made four changes to his starting line-up against Las Palmas, with Lucas Vázquez, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric, and Brahim DÃaz coming into the side. However, the changes did not yield a noticeable improvement in the team's performance.
"The play was sluggish, there wasn't enough movement, and we struggled to maintain compactness defensively," Ancelotti observed. "We were leaving spaces between the lines. The issue is clear, and we need to find a solution. When there's a problem, the manager must take responsibility."
Despite the team's recent struggles, Ancelotti confirmed that Real Madrid will not be seeking further reinforcements before the transfer window closes on Friday. He stated, "The squad is complete."
With the pressure mounting, Real Madrid will face a crucial test on Sunday against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabéu. A victory is essential for Ancelotti's team to regain momentum and avoid falling further behind in the title race.
