Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his Real Madrid team had to endure a tough battle against Atalanta in their 3-2 victory in the UEFA Champions League. Despite goals from Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior, Madrid struggled at times, particularly as Atalanta launched a late onslaught.
“We suffered, but we also created numerous chances,” Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia. “It was a complete performance, but we knew Atalanta would bring intensity, and we had to match that.” He explained that with several key players still missing, including Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba, Madrid couldn’t operate at their full strength.
Ancelotti also noted that his team didn’t want to play a defensive game against Atalanta, citing the risk posed by their crossing game due to Madrid’s shorter centre-backs. He emphasized the importance of a performance like this as the team prepares for a more complete squad in the coming weeks.
Despite the win, Madrid remains in 18th place in the group, with key fixtures ahead. Ancelotti remains hopeful that once the team is back to full strength, they’ll be better equipped to compete at the highest level.
