Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his side's commitment and attitude following their 4-0 victory over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday. The win was marred, however, by a series of injuries, with the team forced to deal with three players going off in the first half, leaving the Italian manager to reflect on the demanding fixture schedule.
“It was a good match. We started off in control, without too much of a rush,” Ancelotti said. “When we opened the scoring through Vinicius, the match went well. The team put in a good performance, with more attitude and commitment.” The match was a crucial one for Los Blancos, who had been searching for a response after their recent setbacks, including their UCL loss to AC Milan.
While the performance on the pitch was solid, Ancelotti was clearly concerned by the injury crisis that hit in the first half. “Three injuries in the first half is quite unusual,” he remarked. “The demanding fixture schedule doesn't allow the players to rest and be fresh. The risk of injury is higher. It's a general thing, not just for us.”
Vinícius Júnior, who has been a standout player for Madrid in recent weeks, once again proved to be the difference-maker. Scoring a brilliant hat-trick, Vinícius showcased his trademark pace and finishing ability.
“For us, Vinícius is a player who can make the difference,” said Ancelotti. “He did that again today, as he’s done on other occasions. The Ballon d'Or ceremony is a small detail that hasn’t affected him. Vinícius is a player who makes and will continue to make a difference. He’s a very important player for us.”
Ancelotti also took time to praise Raúl Asencio, who made his debut following an injury to Éder Militão. “Raúl played very well, showed great personality, and provided the assist for the second goal. It was a nice surprise, and we have to be appreciative of the work done with him in the youth system. He’s a player we need at the moment.”
The Italian coach also discussed the club's injury woes more broadly. With players like Dani Carvajal and David Alaba sidelined for some time, Ancelotti noted that the club is assessing the fitness of younger academy players like Fortea, Loren, and Melvin. “They’re players who aren’t ready yet, but they can be part of the team, as Raúl was today.”
In terms of overall team performance, Ancelotti highlighted Jude Bellingham’s contribution with a goal, praising his balance of offensive and defensive duties. “It’s good for him to score this goal, but it’s a small part of a good defensive and offensive performance. He also had quality, ideas, and perseverance,” said Ancelotti.
Looking ahead, Ancelotti was asked about the possibility of reinforcements in the winter transfer window, but he made it clear that the current focus remains on recovering injured players and preparing for upcoming matches.
“We’ll assess that in the coming months because there’s nothing we can do now. We have to try to recover as many players as possible and we’ll assess what we can do,” he said. “I’m not thinking about the transfer market because we have games between now and the Christmas break. I have to prepare the games with the players I have.”
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