Ancelotti Praises Real Madrid's First-Half Display in Win Over Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's first-half performance in their 2-1 LaLiga win over Rayo Vallecano, despite a more subdued second-half display.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti downplayed his team's underwhelming performance in their 2-1 LaLiga victory over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of securing three crucial points in the title race.

⏸️ @RealMadrid 2-1 @RayoVallecano
⚽ 30' @KMbappe
⚽ 34' @ViniJr
⚽ 45'+3' Pedro Díaz
👉 @Emirates pic.twitter.com/zv63zhJsLM

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 9, 2025

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. scored in the first half to give Real Madrid the win, but Rayo Vallecano made things difficult with a goal by Pedro Diaz just before the break. The match highlighted the intense competition in LaLiga, with only one point separating Spain's top three clubs - Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid.

Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with the outcome, focusing on the points gained rather than the performance. “The feeling is good, because the objective was to win,” Ancelotti said in a press conference, underscoring the significance of the three points in the closely contested title race.

👔 @MrAncelotti: “We’re feeling good because the objective was to get points.”
📺 Press conference ➡️ RM Play

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 9, 2025

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reflected on his team's 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, highlighting the contrasting halves. “The first half was very good, it could have ended 3-0 or even more but we missed a few chances and they found the 2-1 that made the second half a bit more complicated, although we also had a lot of chances,” Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti acknowledged that his team's performance in the second half was not as impressive, but he emphasized the importance of securing the win. “But when you're 2-1 up in the 75th minute, what you have to do is avoid problems and defend well. I understand that people didn't like it, but we have to take into account the busy schedule we are facing, also playing in the Champions League and Copa del Rey,” Ancelotti explained. He added, “It's very difficult to prepare for all those games and maintain the same intensity for 90 minutes.”

Job done at the Bernabéu. @realmadriden back on level points with Barça... 👀 pic.twitter.com/j48iVv1Sct

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 9, 2025

Looking ahead to their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, Ancelotti expressed optimism about the availability of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Antonio Rudiger. “Thibaut (Courtois) has a small problem but I think he will be recovered just fine for Wednesday, hopefully Rudiger can recover from the illness he is suffering, a flu,” Ancelotti said. He concluded, “The team is looking fine and players look fresh, considering the calendar. If we play on Wednesday like we did in the first half today, we have a good chance of going through.”