Real Madrid coach Ancelotti rejects criticism of his side's style of play

Madrid (Spain), Sep 20 Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on Friday said he wasn't interested in the criticism his side has received at the start of the 2024-25 season. Many fans have criticised the Spanish club as they rode their luck, saved by the woodwork in one match and their opponent's errors.

Although results have gone their way, Real Madrid have ridden their luck in recent matches, with Real Sociedad hitting the post three times against them last week, while in the Champions League, Stuttgart created more chances, before two goalkeeping errors gifted Madrid a 3-1 win.

Asked about his side's lack of balance in midfield and defense ahead of Saturday's match at home to Espanyol, Ancelotti insisted he was more interested in the results, reports Xinhua.

"It doesn't bother me that people say Madrid plays badly because I see our fans delighted with what we're doing," he replied. "I think Real Madrid fans are used to rock and roll football and not to a lot of passes. And above all they like winning more than playing well," commented the coach.

The Italian also rejected claims that his side looks unbalanced, with players such as Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo more attack-minded, while they lack a holding midfielder due to Eduardo Camavinga's ankle injury.

"Balance is collective work that I can do with two forwards or with three. Putting in a new midfielder doesn't mean you have more balance. The debate could be what Bellingham is: Forward or midfielder? We don't know," added Ancelotti.

"I like to see my team defend well, not waste time in possession and be vertical. It is difficult to define what beautiful football is," he concluded.

Ancelotti has both Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni available to face Espanyol, who travel to Madrid in good form after Javi Puado's hat-trick saw them win 3-2 at home to Alaves last weekend.

Espanyol are a team that traditionally does badly in Madrid and anything other than a comfortable home win would be a surprise.

Source: IANS