Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference after Real Madrid’s draw with Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga

Real Madrid drew 1-1 away to Rayo Vallecano in a game that saw the home team, under new manager Iñigo Pérez, stifled Ancelotti’s side that failed to beat their city neighbours for the second time this season.

After the game, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press where he was asked about the feeling of coming away with a point, Luka Modric, the referee - who sent off Dani Carvajal - and more.

What is you analysis of how the game went? I think we started very well with the ball and we scored. We could have scored more, there was a shot against the post from Federico [Valverde]. Until the penalty, we did everything right. After the penalty, the match changed, there were more battles, more fights, more interruptions. It wasn’t easy to find ideas in that situation. We fought hard, it was a draw, which doesn’t make us happy, but we continue. We are in a very good position. [We need to be] calm, relaxed and prepare well for the next match.

You spoke to the referee after the game. What did you talk about? I talked about the fouls, for me they are all worthy of bookings. He told me that they are not always, and I accepted the explanation. For me, the referee was right.

Madrid’s season has been so good that a draw like this is going to be criticised... What can I say? Of course, you have to win every match, but to win the league it’s important that you don’t lose the matches you can’t win. Sometimes there are draws that hurt a little, but in the end they can be a positive step to help us win the league.

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The equaliser from Rayo changed how Madrid played, didn’t it? After [Rayo’s goal] it was a different game, which we don’t like to play. There was a lot of fighting, a lot of interruptions. It was different from the beginning. We have to accept it, sometimes matches are like that. But we competed, that’s the important thing, even if we didn’t find solutions in the second half.

Is this ground particularly difficult? It’s not easy, you’re right, you have to get used to the pitch, it’s shorter, smaller. You have to play a different game. We started very well, the penalty changed everything.

Camavinga and Carvajal will miss the game due to suspensions which were avoidable... I will discuss things on a personal level with the players. It was a match with a lot of duels, a lot of fighting. A little bit of a protest is understandable.

Did the team lack intensity? We played with intensity, the truth is that Rayo had a very good match, they were very intense and interrupted the game. The approach worked out well. We got a point, today it does not make us happy, but in the future it can be a positive point.

Can the whole Mbappé thing throw the team off focus? When were we not focused? I think always. Even today, when things didn’t go so well. It’s difficult to criticise the team this season... it’s complicated.

How do you think Luka Modric played? He played very well, he tried in every way. He was the most active with the ball, he tried to look for passes, his position on the field was good.

Real Madrid’s next game in LaLiga is at home to Sevilla, who are 15th in LaLiga and trying to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle with new manager Quique Sánchez Flores.

After that, Madrid take on Valencia away from home before the return leg of the UEFA Champions League, where they will look to get past RB Leipzig following the narrow 0-1 win in the away fixture.