Boss hails Madrid response to Champions League exit
Carlo Ancelotti praised Real Madrid's character after their hard-fought 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, keeping their La Liga title hopes alive while responding in the best possible way to their Champions League exit.
A late winner from Federico Valverde prevented the reigning Spanish champions from slipping further behind in the league title race, moving them to 69 points in second place, four points behind leaders Barcelona.
"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," Ancelotti said. "We wanted to win, to bounce back after being knocked out of the Champions League."
Real lacked a spark in the opening half but looked better after the break, with midfielder Jude Bellingham playing as a false nine. Winger Vinicius Jr had a goal disallowed late in the second half and led the attack in the absence of the suspended Kylian Mbappe.
REUTERS
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