MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his players’ response to a difficult week on and off the field after beating Deportivo la Coruna to move four points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday.
Despite another indifferent performance, goals in either half from Isco and Karim Benzema were enough to ensure a return to winning ways after a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of local rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend.
Further criticism was then heaped on certain members of the playing and coaching staff for attending Cristiano Ronaldo’s 30th birthday party hours after the defeat.
The crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu made their feelings known with boos before the game for goalkeeper Iker Casillas and Ancelotti himself.
However, Ancelotti thanked the majority of the fans for not getting on the team’s back during a difficult spell. “It wasn’t an easy game. We only played well in parts and we had difficulties,” said Ancelotti. “It was a difficult week and we have come out of it with a victory which is good.”
Madrid now turn their attention to the defence of their Champions League title as they visit Schalke in the first leg of their last 16 clash on Wednesday.
And Ancelotti was keen to stress that there is still plenty to look forward to for Los Blancos this season despite an unnerving seven days.
“It was a peculiar week. It was a result that surprised us and frustrated us. The reaction of the team was very good. We are looking forward, in the league we still have an advantage and now the Champions League starts again.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2015.
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