Carlo Ancelotti: 'It was a tough match because Atalanta physically demanded a lot from us'
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has shared his thoughts on the 3-2 victory over Atalanta in the 6th round of the Champions League league phase.
"We demonstrated a complete performance, showed character, and fought hard. Despite all the challenges, this was a match we needed to battle for. We were effective in attack, very mobile with Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappe, and they performed brilliantly. At the end, we had to defend, but we earned this victory.
"It was a tough match because Atalanta physically demanded a lot from us. It was a game of duels, and we won some of them early on. We displayed great mobility in attack. The game went well, and we’re happy. This is a significant victory, not just for the three points but also on an emotional level.
"I’m not sure if 15 points will secure us a spot in the top eight, but our goal is to win the next two games. The schedule is very demanding, and with our limited squad, frequent rotations aren’t an option. We need to endure this period.
"After the match against Osasuna, the team became more disciplined defensively. We lost two games to very strong teams, but we never felt defeated. This win will help us greatly.
"When we have a full squad, there will be more competition, and I’ll be able to rotate players more frequently. However, I’ll always field the best possible team. Ceballos played exceptionally well; I really liked his performance.
"Atalanta are excellent team; they play at high speeds. We managed to break through their defensive lines. While their structure hasn’t changed, they have very clear ideas and are a tough team to beat. This will be a very good season for them," Ancelotti said.
