Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s character after its hard-fought 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, keeping its La Liga title hopes alive while responding in the best possible way to its Champions League exit.
A late winner from Federico Valverde prevented the reigning Spanish champion from slipping further behind in the league title race, moving it to 69 points in second place, four points behind leader Barcelona.
“Valverde was the key because he scored the goal,” Ancelotti told reporters. “The team did well. We were a bit slower in the first half, but in the second half, we did very well in every aspect. We wanted to win, to bounce back after being knocked out of the Champions League.
“It was a good match. We were aggressive and didn’t concede. We were more solid and played better as a team.”
READ | Real Madrid edges Athletic Club 1-0 with late Valverde winner
Real lacked a spark in the opening half but looked better after the break, with midfielder Jude Bellingham playing as a false nine.
“We controlled the first half, we didn’t feel any pressure from Athletic, but we didn’t create any chances,” Ancelotti said.
“(Bellingham as false nine) gave us a big advantage last year. We didn’t use it in the first half, but we did in the second. We attacked many times from the outside and he was there to finish it off. He deserved to score.”
Ancelotti also praised winger Vinicius Jr, saying he was instrumental in the win, having a goal disallowed late in the second half and leading the attack in the absence of the suspended Kylian Mbappe.
“Vinicius has a fantastic attitude and was exhausted in the second half. He was decisive, as always,” the Italian coach said.
“These haven’t been happy days for him, but I really liked his reaction. He’s going to be very important in the coming games, because of what he is on the pitch and because of his attitude.”
With the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona looming, Ancelotti dismissed the suggestion that his lineup was a rehearsal for that game and said the win will give his team momentum heading into the next week’s Clasico.
“It was a lineup to have more control with Luka (Modric) and Dani Ceballos,” he said. “We have time to prepare. The victory is good for us.”
