“See a beautiful 2025 coming”

REAL MADRID: CARLO ANCELOTTI on…

…gives 3:3 to Rayo Vallecano: “We were behind and then turned the game around. But then we lacked the final consistency in the penalty area. But overall it was a good game. I think we played very well for 45 or 60 minutes, from 0-2 to 3-2 the team did very, very well. We created a lot of chances and when we got the equalizer again, we tried to keep going and take the lead again. There are draws and there are draws. The ones against Mallorca and Las Palmas were different than this. The draw was that of a solid team that fought but wasn’t able to win because they made some mistakes. I’m leaving here happy. We have to win the next games, but we are on the right track.”

… the mistakes in the three goals conceded: “Yes, we made a very ‘complete’ game in this respect too [schmunzelt]. Without these mistakes we win 3-0. When it comes to height, we have deficits, Rüdiger and Tchouaméni are strong in the air, but the full-backs are not very tall and sometimes you have to suffer and we have that.”

… what was missing: “The gate. We tried it, Viní tried it. He had two clear chances, then the penalty situation. We couldn’t have done more offensively. I really liked Rodrygo’s game, he’s back to his best. I look positively into the future. Now we have to end the year well. We have a great chance to win the Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday, that would be the cherry on the cake of a spectacular year.”

… Rodrygo as left winger: “We thought he could pose more of a threat on the left. After a bit of a difficult start, he came in well and scored. So, all is well.”

… the foul against Vinícius Júnior in the penalty area, for which there was no penalty: “After watching it on the replay, it was a clear penalty for me.”

… the substitution of Vinícius: “He didn’t start because he was on the pitch for 90 minutes straight after his injury and we decided to bring him in today for the second half where there was a bit less intensity. He did very well and also had two chances to score. A good game.”

…Vinícius’ protests, which earned him a yellow card suspension: “I don’t want to talk about the Vinícius topic.”

…his composure after the draw: “As I said: there is such a draw and such a draw. I was nervous after the draw against Mallorca and after the one against Las Palmas. But not this, because I saw a collective.”

… the difference to the draws against Mallorca and Las Palmas: “I thought it would be very difficult to regain our balance, commitment, quality and attitude from last year. Now Rodrygo is back, Camavinga, Alaba will be back soon. Maybe I’m wrong, because I’ve been wrong many times, but I see a nice 2025 coming, with a lot of anticipation, desire, motivation. We are fighting for all the titles after these two draws, which put a lot of strain on me personally. It was hard to imagine being so good now. Because it looks good, despite all the difficulties. And today we went into the game without many regular players: without Mbappé, Vinícius, Camavinga, Mendy, Militão, Carvajal, Alaba – seven! And we played well and when everyone is back we will be much better.”

…essential point losses against opponents like Rayo: “Last year we didn’t win here, we drew and still won the league. Of course you have to win games if you want to win the league. But if you don’t win it, you just lose it. I said that last year and everything went well.”

… Aurélien Tchouaméni in central defense: “No, he is not a regular player in the position because it is an emergency situation and when everyone is back I will see where I put him. I know that I can rely on him. Of course he’s not used to the position, but he always delivers, especially today he helped us a lot in building up the game.”

…Jude Bellingham’s influence on the team: “He is a very important player for us. It’s not me who chooses the leader of the team, it’s the team and it’s not just him. He’s doing very well, is back in top form and is giving the team a lot.”

… goalkeeper Augusto Batalla’s leg cramps at the end of the game and his conversation with the linesman: “I just told him that this time should also be re-enacted. It’s not the first time he’s had cramps. He should take a little more potassium, that might help.”

Support REAL TOTAL: All information or directly to Steady