Ancelotti hails reaction as Real Madrid earn key win without star attackers

Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid boss 2021-22 season

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was very happy with his team performance after a narrow 1-0 home La Liga win against Granada on Sunday.

Los Blancos came into the match with the chance to increase their lead to six points after Sevilla’s draw the day before. In the absence of their two top scorers, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jnr., it was Marco Asensio who stepped up to score a 74th minute winner. Ancelotti opted to use a false nine in the shape of Isco with Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale continuing to be benched.

Ancelotti said in his post-match interview, carried by Marca: “Tonight there is very good news. For the three points, for the second part of the team.

“The team has complied, the players have complied… It is not our best moment, but we have a week to recover the casualties that we have. The team’s reaction has been very good.

“I don’t want to vindicate myself. I know that the defeat belongs to the coach and that the victory belongs to the team and the fans.

“This is how it is and it seems fair to me. The first page should be for the players. We have produced a very important game.”

Ancelotti explains false nine and praises match-winner Asensio

Meanwhile, Ancelotti explained his use of Isco as a false nine.

“I am a masochist,” Ancelotti said. “Benzema and Mariano are injured and Jovic comes out of the virus and is not in good condition yet.

It is true that Isco brings less depth, but the plan was to finish with Jovic, who has done very well and has given energy.”

The coach went on to praise winger Marco Asensio, who scored his eighth goal of the season and his fourth from outside the area: “Asensio is very important. Not because his name is Marco Asensio, but because of what he is doing.

“He has quality, he has commitment, he is serious. He is a very important player for us and we have won with his greatest quality, which is his shot.

“Asensio has returned this season after a difficult time due to injuries. He has returned with confidence. I don’t have to tell him that he has to shoot more because he knows it, he has a stone in his feet.

“He is a player who scores goals, gives assists … And he has had defensive commitment, which for us is very important.”

 

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