9th October, 2022
Carlo Ancelotti considered a “solid” defensive display cause for celebration as Real Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 to move above Barcelona at the LaLiga summit.
Los Blancos were far from their fluid best at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, but Eder Militao’s third-minute header was enough to see them return to winning ways in the league after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna.
It was the first time Madrid had kept a clean sheet in eight LaLiga games this season, so Ancelotti was pleased in that regard, hailing his central defenders.
He was less enthused by Madrid in an attacking sense as they failed to add to their early opener.
“We were very solid and both Militao and [Antonio] Rudiger played a great game,” he said. “We could have scored more goals, but at this point in the season that doesn’t matter.
“Scoring early did not force us to be in a hurry, and we did not force our plays that much. We created many opportunities, but we did not score enough.
“The team has played very well, and we are satisfied. Last season here we were beaten, and today the team has been more solid.
“I asked the players not to risk passing late on and to ensure their passing was accurate because the score was very tight.”
Madrid face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, before a mouth-watering Clasico clash against Barcelona next weekend.
Ancelotti rested Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy for the short trip to Getafe, and the Italian head coach suggested he is likely to rotate his side for the midweek match in Warsaw against their opponents from Ukraine.
He is trying to avoid talking about the Barcelona game for now, but that fixture is taking on major significance given both teams have started strongly.
“I think the Clasico is still a long way off,” Ancelotti said. “I’ve rested Benzema and Mendy, and it may be that on Tuesday I can rotate a little more.”
Eden Hazard was an unused substitute against Getafe and has been limited to just 98 minutes of league action so far this season.
Ancelotti, however, said the former Chelsea winger will be called upon in the coming matches.
“Hazard is training well and will have his chance very soon,” the Madrid head coach added.