Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti was profoundly happy with his side’s performance in their 4-1 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night.
The Italian manager said the victory was “one of his side’s best performances of the season,” as they temporarily go atop the La Liga standings with 42 points.
When asked whether the victory was a statement in the Spanish top-flight, Ancelotti said:
“No, I don’t think it was a statement. I think we are playing well.”
“I think it was one of the best games of the season. I agree with you, especially in terms of offensive pressure. Probably the best one.”
England international Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for Madrid with his 13th goal of the campaign, as he continues to lead the list of goalscorers in La Liga.
Rodrygo Goes doubled their lead in the 37th minute before Brahim Diaz and Luka Modric’s second-half strikes cancelled out Jose Luis Morales’ effort for the Yellow Submarines.
???? @RealMadriden 4-1 @VillarrealCFen
⚽ 25′ @BellinghamJude
⚽ 39′ @RodrygoGoes
⚽ 54′ Morales
⚽ 64′ @Brahim
⚽ 68′ @LukaModric10#RealMadridVillarreal | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/0hKBO7ZMj0— Real Madrid C.F. ???????????????? (@realmadriden) December 17, 2023
Although Bellingham was substituted in the 78th minute after picking up a yellow card, Ancelotti downplayed talks of taking him off to avoid a sending-off. He said the former Borussia Dortmund player was taken off as a substitute to avoid any injury problems.
“No, I didn’t think they were going to pick on Bellingham. He was the protagonist, playing very well, fighting always for the ball. I took him off to avoid having problems,” he said.
“When I can avoid problems I’m going to do it. Bellingham also had a shoulder issue, so if I can save him from playing 90 minutes I will, so he can recover. What I told him is that he played very well.”
Ancelotti’s men extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 games, and they will travel to the Mendizorrotza Stadium to face Alaves on Thursday.
