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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is far from happy with his team's performance in the 1-1 La Liga draw at Valencia on Sunday (August 18). The holders took the lead at the Mestalla but were forced to a share of the spoils.
Rodrygo Goes put the reigning champions in front after 13 minutes, but Vedat Muriqi made it all-square 40 minutes later. Kylian Mbappe - making his La Liga debut - squandered two presentable openings as Los Blancos sought a winner before left-back Ferland Mendy was sent off in stoppage time.
Ancelotti admitted that the team struggled for Valencia, citing the need to defend better (as per ESPN):
"In the second half, we lacked balance. We gave away counterattacks, crosses. It wasn't a good game. We have to defend better, and, above all, have more balance on the pitch.
"Today we're not happy. I don't want to give excuses. We just had to do better, with more attitude. But we can learn a lot from this game. It was clear where we had problems."
He continued:
"The defending wasn't good, it was hard for us to win the ball after losing it. That's where we have to improve. When I talk about defending, we're talking about attitude and collective commitment.
"The team was too open. We have to focus more, as we usually do, with more concentration, be more together. People can think it's a problem of the forwards, but when the forwards press, the midfielders don't help and the defenders stay back. It isn't one or the other."
Los Blancos next take on Real Valladolid at home in the league on Sunday (August 25).
What happened when Real Madrid last played Real Valladolid?
Real Madrid have happy memories from their last La Liga meeting with their upcoming opponents, Real Valladolid, in April 2023, as they completed a thumping league double.
Rodrygo got the ball rolling inside 22 minutes, and there would be no looking back for Carlo Ancelotti's side. Karim Benzema - who had scored both goals in the 2-0 away win in the reverse fixture - got on the scoresheet seven minutes later.
In the 32nd minute, the Frenchman bagged his second of the game, and four minutes later, completed a stunning seven-minute hat-trick as Los Blancos cut Valladolid to shreds. There was still time for Marcos Alonso and Lucas Vazquez to score late on as Madrid ran out convincing winners.
