Ancelotti labels Real display a disaster
MADRID – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has described his side ’ s second half display against bottom club Rayo Vallecano at the weekend as a “disaster ”.
But the unconvincing Real survived when they conceded two quickfire second half penalties as they held on under severe pressure to secure a nervy 3-2 victory in this La Liga clash on Saturday.
“The second half was a disaster,” Ancelotti said in a post-match conference.
“We have to change and iron out the superficiality that we showed on the pitch,” added the Italian, who has struggled to get the best from his players since taking over from Jose Mourinho in the close season.
“We can ’ t let teams back into a game like that when you have the quality of Real Madrid.”
The world ’ s richest club by income, who play at Italian champions Juventus in Europe tomorrow, were flying when a Cristiano Ronaldo double and a goal from Karim Benzema put them 3-0 ahead shortly after half time.
However, Ancelotti ’ s expensivelyassembled side were unable to control the match against their lowly city rivals and were left reeling when Jonathan Viera struck twice from the spot in three minutes after clumsy fouls by Pepe and Marcelo.
A valiant Rayo, whose squad is worth less than a tenth of their illustrious neighbours ’ and whose fans unfurled a gigantic banner reading “Proud to be Poor ” before kickoff, came close to equalising several times.
Unbeaten champions Barcelona are top with 34 points from 12 matches after their 1-0 win at home to Espanyol in Friday ’ s Catalan derby, with Atletico on 30 points and Real on 28.
Rayo coach Paco Jemez, whose team play some attractive football but have by far the worst defensive record in Spain ’ s top flight, said he was very proud of his players.
“I am coming away with the knowledge that at least we gave our all and we never threw in the towel,” he told reporters.
“We have to take strength from this. We had Madrid against the wall and we can do that to anyone.”
It was a stirring Vallecano performance in front of their vociferous fans and overshadowed another fine display from Real ’ s world record signing Gareth Bale, whose start at the club after joining from Tottenham Hotspur has been disrupted by injury.
The million (R1.3-billion) Wales winger followed up Wednesday ’ s two goals and two assists in the 7-3 home win over Sevilla when he set up Ronaldo and Benzema with fine crosses at Rayo ’ s unfashionable Vallecas Stadium in the Madrid suburbs.
Ronaldo ’ s two goals lifted the prolific Portuguese forward to the top of the La Liga scoring chart on 13 goals, one ahead of Atletico Madrid ’ s Brazil-born striker Diego Costa.
Real Sociedad showed off their attacking prowess ahead of tomorrow ’ s Champions League match against visitors Manchester United when the Basque club won 5-0 at home to 10-man Osasuna.
Promoted Almeria beat Real Valladolid 1-0 at home. – Reuters