Carlo Ancelotti praised the talent on his Real Madrid bench after the squad rallied from behind to win a game for the 10th time this season, defeating Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday to reclaim the LaLiga lead.
Javi Muñoz gave Las Palmas the lead at the Gran Canaria Stadium, but goals from Vinícius Júnior and substitute Aurélien Tchouaméni secured the points for Madrid, who were missing suspended Jude Bellingham.
Madrid has won two games in a row after coming from behind to defeat Almería 3-2 the week before. It is the sixth time they have done so in the current LaLiga season, after three in the Champions League and one in the Spanish Supercopa.
“It’s a tool that we have, options on the bench who come on really motivated to contribute,” Madrid coach Ancelotti remarked at a press conference regarding his team’s ability to turn games around.
“That is something in our locker we like to take advantage of, although, of course, we would like to go in front and enjoy the transitions a little more.”However, this cannot always be the case. When it doesn’t, I can look at the bench and see how many different ways I can alter the dynamic of a game because everyone is willing to do so.”
After a tense first half, Las Palmas took the lead with a goal from Muñoz, which Ancelotti hailed as the game’s turning moment.
“Conceding the goal changed the dynamic of the game,” he said. “We had already adjusted the strategy in the first half to try to get broader. “It wasn’t the best performance, but it was good.”We can’t forget that we were up against a formidable opponent. Las Palmas have superb ball control, making it difficult to recover possession. Only two goals have been surrendered in the opening half of this season’s LaLiga games.”
Ancelotti also explained why he did not bring Luka Modric off the bench for the second consecutive match.
“Luka didn’t even warm up because I don’t ask him to if I am not sure if he is going to play,” the coach remarked. “I have to respect him in that way. He’s excellent; he’s really good. “He is prepared for the next game.”
Tchouaméni, meanwhile, replied to criticism for his performance in Madrid’s Copa del Rey defeat to Atlético Madrid ten days earlier by scoring the winner in the 84th minute, only three minutes after coming in.
“I could have done better for the goal in the Copa del Rey, but I don’t want people to question my mentality,” the France midfielder told reporters.
“When we played Barcelona earlier this season, I played till the finish despite an injury. Look, it’s possible that Real Madrid may face criticism, but it doesn’t matter. I always say it’s a dream to play for this squad.
The victory returned Madrid to the top of LaLiga with 54 points from 21 games, two ahead of Girona, who face Celta Vigo on Sunday.
“There are more rivals than Girona,” Tchouaméni cautioned. “Barcelona, Atlético and Athletic Club are all there as well.”The most essential thing, however, is to concentrate on ourselves. If we win all of our games before the conclusion of the season, we will be champions.”
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