Ancelotti responds to sparse Bernabéu and whistles

Carlo Ancelotti believes the fans are still firmly behind Real Madrid despite a disappointing attendance for their 3-0 win over Deportivo Alavés on Saturday.

Asensio stunner for Bernabéu

Madrid scored all three goals in the second half to go seven points clear at the top of LaLiga. Marco Asensio's stunning long-range effort broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, with Vinicius Junior and then Karim Benzema from the penalty spot making the points safe.

A performance in which they struggled to break Alaves down until Asensio's spectacular effort came after a Champions League showing at Paris Saint-Germain in which Madrid were fortunate to escape with a 1-0 defeat.

With a sparse, by their standards, crowd at the Santiago Bernabéu and whistles from the stands as Madrid initially laboured against their less illustrious opponents, Ancelotti was asked if the fans are disengaged.

"No, I perceive that the fans are with us," he replied at a post-match media conference. 

"I see them hooked, wanting us to win LaLiga. On Tuesday we played poorly, but today I think they have seen a reaction."

Madrid have not scored in the first half in all competitions since their Supercopa de Espana triumph over Athletic Bilbao last month.

"We have talked about it this week, that we need to enter the games with the necessary intensity," added Ancelotti. 

"In Bilbao, in December, we opened the scoring twice, but since then we have had more difficulties. The rivals press a lot in the first and usually go down in the second."

Vinicius had been enduring a goal drought stretching back to Madrid's 3-2 win over Barcelona in the Supercopa, with Ancelotti confident the end of that barren stretch will be a boost for the entire side.

"When strikers score, it's always essential," said Ancelotti. "He was having difficulties, but this game is going to help him and the whole team."