On Friday, Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti, 65, dismissed concerns about the team’s less appealing playing style, asserting that securing victories takes precedence over aesthetics.
With an unbeaten record of five wins in seven matches this season, Ancelotti remains focused on strategies for success, even as he navigates injuries to key players and others who are still working to regain their best form.
“Real Madrid fans prefer winning over playing well,” he said ahead of Sunday’s LaLiga clash at home to mid-table Espanyol.
“Ideally you want both, winning while playing an attractive style of football, but our main objective is pleasing our fans, who are very demanding, so we will keep our focus on winning as we know that our squad is still far away from ideal form.
“We are not at our best, and that is normal in the beginning of a demanding calendar. We will improve as the season starts to get into the important things to play for. For the moment we are in, we are doing well.”
Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni returned from injury in Real Madrid’s tough 3-1 win over Stuttgart, kicking off their defence of the Champions League title on Tuesday.
Despite this positive development, manager Carlo Ancelotti indicated that David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, and Brahim Diaz will need several more weeks to fully recover.
Ancelotti remains optimistic about forwards Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, pointing out that while they are still in the process of developing, both players have been making steady progress and are ready to inject the team with the energy needed for a more dynamic attacking approach.
“The criticism doesn’t bother me because I see that the fans are delighted,” Ancelotti said.
“You can play better, but the fans are used to our ‘rock and roll’ football. Not a lot of touches. We try to make the Madrid fans happy. And our game is about intensity, pace… Without wasting too much time in reaching the opponent’s goal.
“These are our characteristics. We have players with a lot of strength and speed, especially on the ball, and we have to take advantage of that.
“For me, I believe that beautiful football depends on the characteristics of the players I have: attacking well, defending well… playing well on the counter. There are many facets and everyone has their own opinion.”
Barcelona top the LaLiga standings with 15 points, four ahead of Atletico Madrid, Real and Villarreal.