Carlo Ancelotti reveals whether he has “fixed” Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé after Betis win

Kylian Mbappé grabbed the headlines in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, scoring his first two LaLiga goals for this new club. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Carlo Ancelotti was asked whether he had fixed Los Blancos’ early-season problems, what the team is still missing and how he felt about Vinicius leaving a second-half penalty to Mbappé.

Real Madrid not worried by dropped points

Does the win remove some of the worry and frustration that may have been in the locker room?

We aren’t worried. We have drawn two games. We are very excited and motivated to try to do better. We did do better and we deserved to win. We were more supportive of one other. We go into the break feeling good about ourselves.

How much did Mbappé need to score that goal?

I don’t know, you have to ask him. We never put pressure on him. He played a good game, like everyone else, he had many opportunities. It’s important for him to score, but also for us as a team.

In the second half, the three attackers were more spread out. Did you say anything to them at half-time?

We tried to play with Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings, sometimes they come inside, but I think it worked out pretty well. Defensively, with the three in the middle, we were much more solid.

Ancelotti: “We’re still not at our best”

Have you solved the problems from the first three league games?

I had a good feeling in the first half, it was a bit difficult for us to change things, but the team had settled into the game and we defended well. In the second half we stepped up the pace, as the team is used to doing. Is the problem solved? Obviously we are still not at our best, but this will come little by little.

Is this the happiest you’ve been so far this season? And what did think about Vinicius hugging Mbappé before the penalty?

Vinicius was very unselfish in giving the penalty to Kylian. I think they have a good relationship, also with Rodrygo. I wouldn’t say it’s the happiest day, I’m happy to have taken a step forward in what we want to do and what we want to be. We have work to do, but we have all the resources we need to do well.

Do you have to go back 10 years to convince the attackers to work defensively, as you did with the BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano)?

Rodrygo and Vinicius are not new to this. With Rodrygo working hard, we won the Champions League in 2022. I think they will do it, without a doubt. I’m convinced that playing with a low block will help us counterattack a lot, that’s something we are very fast at.

In Bellingham’s absence, Güler, Modric and now Ceballos have all started in midfield. What are you looking for in that position?

Having three midfielders gives us much more solidity in the middle and the opposition has to force the play a little more in that area. That makes it easier for us to control the game there. Brahim has also come on the right of midfield and has done very well. The 4-3-3 is a system that we can sometimes use, like the 4-4-2.

Is it difficult to start with Brahim and Fran García when you see how well they do as substitutes?

I don’t think I’d ever classify a player as a substitute. I classify them as two very good players who always contribute to the team, no matter how many minutes they get. That’s what a footballer has to do, be ready. Today, they were very good and gave the team energy.

What are Real Madrid still missing?

What is the team still lacking? Where do they need to improve?

We need to be more consistent. Sometimes we get a little off track. The defensive unit has always been and will always be the key to success. The last problem we have is scoring goals.

Were you aware that some people had doubts about Tchouaméni? How important will he be in this team?

He has shown all his qualities, he’s a fantastic defensive pivot. He is very young and little by little he will learn to play the ball at the right time. But on a defensive level, he is irreplaceable. Today, the defenders did very well.

How are you feeling about the break?

It’s not good to have a break, it’s never good, because it takes the players away, especially those who travel to South America and then find it difficult to return and rest. Whenever there is a break, all I ask is that we don’t get any injuries, which is the greatest danger. Apart from that, the players are used to playing all the time. The only thing I ask is that they are all fit when they get back.