Ancelotti: I can't ask Real players to deliver swashbuckling football at this stage of the season

Added at:

Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu following Real Madrid's win over Leipzig on matchday two of the Champions League Group Stage:

"In the second half, when they lowered the energy to focus on quick transitions, we pushed on and we deserved to win it. I can't ask the players to deliver swashbuckling football at this stage of the season. We put in an intelligent display. We'd like to have scored earlier but it's the Champions League and we're up against a Leipzig side who are flying high and just beat Dortmund. We were a bit concerned about this game but in the end we got the job done".

"It wasn't a spectacular performance but to be honest the key thing for us was to nullify their counter-attack because they can be very dangerous. We pushed our lines high up in the first half and we had it largely under control at the back, they only got in behind us a couple of times. We wanted to make sure defensive awareness was central to our game because the counter attack is their greatest strength".

NewsRSS - News - Terrikon

02 August

10:40
Ilya Zabarnyi Close to PSG Move - Deal Expected Within Days
08:45
Son Heung-min Confirms Tottenham Exit After a Decade

01 August

18:44
Newcastle Reject Liverpool's Opening £120m Bid for Alexander Isak
16:03
João Palhinha Joins Tottenham on Loan from Bayern Munich
09:15
Ukrainian Premier League Kicks Off 2025/26 Season
08:41
Trubin Keeps Clean Sheet as Benfica Clinch Portuguese Super Cup Over Sporting
08:25
UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifying: All Results from July 31
08:12
UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round: Full Fixture List Confirmed

31 July

16:46
Official: Dan Ndoye Joins Nottingham Forest in €46M Deal
16:29
AC Milan Crush Perth Glory 9–0 to End Asia-Pacific Tour in Style
16:19
Tottenham Stuns Arsenal With Long-Range Wonder Goal
16:07
Barcelona Thrash FC Seoul 7–3 in Asia Tour Clash
14:14
Alexander Isak Training at Former Club Amid Transfer Drama
08:39
Champions League Third Qualifying Round: All Confirmed Fixtures
08:17
Champions League Qualifying Drama: Wednesday’s Full Results and Key Surprises
00:25
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Returns to Olympique de Marseille

30 July

21:55
Tottenham Ready to Bid for Illia Zabarnyi
18:29
Wirtz Scores on Debut as Liverpool Beat Yokohama
16:02
Olympic Champion Laura Dahlmeier Dies in Climbing Accident
12:51
It's Official: Luis Díaz Joins Bayern Munich
11:51
AS Roma Eye Kevin as Potential Replacement for Dovbyk
09:28
All Tuesday Results from the UEFA Champions League

29 July

20:19
Former Biathlon Star Laura Dahlmeier Injured in Mountaineering Accident in Pakistan
19:21
Report: Xavi Simons on the Verge of Chelsea Move
18:33
PSG Issue Ultimatum to Gianluigi Donnarumma Amid Lucas Chevalier Deal