Ancelotti praises team's attitude in 3-3 draw

MADRID — Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti lamented his side's defensive mistakes and missed opportunities in its 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, but said he was not worried about the result, instead praising the effort of his players.

Despite acknowledging the lack of focus in defense, Ancelotti said he saw plenty of positives from his side, which he believes is moving in the right direction.

Real missed the chance to move above leader Barcelona in La Liga, staying in second place on 37 points from 17 matches, one behind the Catalans who hosted Leganes on Sunday, while Atletico, in third place on 35 from 16 games, welcomed Getafe.

"It was a complete game that included many errors, but I thought we didn't suffer as much as the final result would suggest," Ancelotti told a news conference on Saturday.

"I was much more worried about those draws against Mallorca and Las Palmas... Now, we have the attitude and commitment of last year and that is promising.

"I look ahead and I see a 2025 that is very positive, although I could be wrong. It's very good, with the players showing a lot of desire and enthusiasm.

"We're in the hunt for everything we're playing for. We're doing well, despite the many difficulties we've had due to injuries. Today we started without a lot of first-team players — up to seven. When they all come back, the team will be much better."

Defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao will be sidelined for several months with ACL tears suffered early in the season, while David Alaba is still to return from the same injury, sustained last year. Forward Kylian Mbappe, fullback Ferland Mendy and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga have short-term injuries.

Ancelotti defended his decision to leave winger Vinicius Jr on the bench from the start, as he did not want to risk any setbacks after the Brazilian's return last week after missing four games with a leg muscle injury.

"He was coming back from injury and we wanted to be careful with him. I thought he played a good game," Ancelotti said.

"It's hard to see my players giving any more than they gave today. I see a good future ahead. On Wednesday, we have to win the Intercontinental Cup (against Pachuca), that would be the icing on the cake (after the La Liga-Champions League double)."

Fast pace

Rayo set a fast pace and stunned the reigning champion with headed goals from Unai Lopez and Abdul Mumin giving the host a 2-0 lead by the 36th minute.

Federico Valverde struck with a powerful shot from well outside the area to pull one back for Madrid, before Jude Bellingham headed the visitor level off a pass by Rodrygo just before halftime.

Madrid looked to have completed a comeback win when Rodrygo put Los Blancos in front for the first time with a deflected shot in the 56th.

But, Rayo midfielder Isi Palazon stretched out a boot to steer a Florian Lejeune shot past Madrid's Thibaut Courtois in the 64th.

Ancelotti admitted his team dropped its guard in defense when his players left Lopez and Mumin unchecked to turn in crosses, but said he was satisfied with his team's reaction, especially given the injuries to defensive starters Carvajal, Militao, and Mendy.

He also pointed to last season, when his team drew twice with Rayo.

"Last year we didn't win here, we drew, and we won the league anyway," Ancelotti said. "We are playing well and on the right path. So, we had a draw. We need to look toward the next games."

Madrid, as the Champions League titleholder, will now travel to Qatar to play the Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca.

"We have a great chance to win a title on Wednesday, which would put the cherry on top of a great year," Ancelotti said.

Bellingham took his league scoring run to six games in a row.

Vinicius will miss the next game, at home to Sevilla, after picking up his fifth yellow card, this time for protesting.

Navas tribute

Sevilla's Jesus Navas bid farewell to his home fans during a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, as he nears the end of his 20-year playing career.

Players from both teams wore T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Navas Legend" before kickoff. They gave a tearful Navas an honor guard, as the trophies he won with the club were placed on the pitch. Navas wept again, and kneeled to kiss the turf when he was substituted with 20 minutes left.

"Jesus has always been my role model, I remember watching him when I was a child," Sevilla goalscorer Manu Bueno said. "I am so proud to have scored this goal and to be able to dedicate it to him."

Navas announced in May he would retire at the end of the year, midway through this season.

Navas, who turned 39 last month, debuted for his boyhood club in 2004 and played two stints for Sevilla on either side of his spell at Manchester City from 2013-17, when he helped it win a Premier League title. He helped Sevilla win two Europa Leagues and two Copa del Reys, among other titles. Navas also helped Spain win the European Championship last summer, his second. He was also part of the victorious 2010 World Cup squad.

His last game will be against Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Dec 22.

Agencies