Carlo Ancelotti said that Real Madrid attackers have improved defensively in recent weeks to turn his side into a more solid outfit in their bid on the LaLiga title this season.
The front line of Madrid, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, are all impressed by the goal for Los Blancos.
Between the quartet they scored this period 39 of Real's 54 goals in Laliga, so that they are helped to the top of the rankings, but on points with Barcelona.
Indeed, this season only Athletic Bilbao (22) and Atletico Madrid (16) have admitted fewer goals than Real (23), who have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the competition.
And Ancelotti believes that their defensive improvement has been helped by the working speed of his forward players at both ends of the field.
“We have often talked about it. Not only with Vinicius JR, with everyone. And they agreed,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“It has clearly changed in the last few matches. Since the match against Atletico Madrid (on 9 February) the defensive improvement has been clear.
“Vinicius helps a lot. It has changed the team a lot, because the strikers work hard. The team is Solider.”
@Vinijr@Endrick pic.twitter.com/ekdbuhplgp
– Real Madrid CF (@Realmadriden) 28 February 2025
Real trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarin to take on real betis, who won their last two games in the Spanish top flight, as much as they had managed in the competition in their previous 12 (W2 D5 L5).
The Side of Manuel Pellegrini has also been encouraged by having on-Loan Manchester United Forward Antony available, where the Brazilian saw the red card that he picked up against Getafe last week, successfully reversed.
Real has won none of their last two trips in Laliga (D1 L1) and did not leave home three or more without a victory in the competition in the same season since May 2023.
Although Betis is seventh in the table and 19 points behind Real, Ancelotti said he would not set a weak team to keep the team fresh for their Champions League round of 16 first leg to Rivals Atletico on Tuesday.
“We come up with a good momentum in this game, but Betis too. There is a lot at stake for both teams,” said Ancelotti.
“The dynamics of the team are good. We did well by changing, rotating. What makes me worries is the power of the rival, not our injuries. It is a match in which everything can happen …
“I go to the best team, because these are three vital points for Laliga, without thinking of Tuesday. It is a very complicated game.”
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