Carlo Ancelotti expressed his disappointment with Real Madrid’s attitude and collective commitment after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Mallorca in the opening game of the 2024-25 season. Despite taking the lead with a goal from Rodrygo, Madrid failed to hold on as Vedat Muriqi equalized in the second half.
Ancelotti highlighted the lack of balance in the team during the second half, leading to poor defending and giving away counterattacks and crosses. He emphasized the need for better defensive organization and urged his players to show more attitude on the pitch. The Italian coach admitted that there were clear problems that needed to be addressed.
Praise for Mallorca
Despite his criticism of his own team, Ancelotti praised Mallorca for their performance and described the draw as the correct result. He credited the opposition for making it difficult for Madrid to regain possession after losing the ball and emphasized the importance of improving the team’s overall defensive mindset.
Areas for Improvement
Ancelotti called for more focus and concentration from his players, highlighting the need for better coordination between the forwards, midfielders, and defenders. He emphasized that the team needs to work as a cohesive unit and support each other in all phases of the game. The coach stressed that defending is not just about individual players but about the entire team’s commitment.
Real Madrid recently won the UEFA Super Cup by beating Atalanta 2-0 but faced a setback in their first LaLiga game of the season. Looking ahead, they will host Real Valladolid before visiting Las Palmas in the upcoming matches. Ancelotti and his team will be looking to bounce back from the disappointing draw and show improvements in their attitude and performance on the pitch.