Carlo Ancelotti 'understands people didn't like' narrow Real Madrid win but points out- 'Many UCL teams have struggled'

Real Madrid moved up to second place in La Liga with a 2-1 victory at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, but head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted afterwards that he could "understand that people didn't like" the performance. The narrow win came sandwiched between two UEFA Champions League last-16 ties against rivals Atletico Madrid. The second leg is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday.

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Carlo Ancelotti "understands people didn’t like" Real Madrid’s narrow win over Rayo Vallecano but argued it’s "difficult" to juggle domestic and European duties ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League tie with rivals Atletico Madrid.

Two sublime individual goals in the first half from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior gave the hosts a comfortable lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Pedro Diaz pulled one back before the break to set up a nervy conclusion.

It was an important win, as Real profited on Atleti’s defeat to Getafe to go second and level on points with leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

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The two Madrid clubs will meet for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 showdown on Wednesday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - with Real leading 2-1 ahead of their trip to the Metropolitano, and Ancelotti pointed to the upcoming European clash after the game.

"The feeling is good, because the objective was to win," Ancelotti said.

"The first half was very good, we could have been 3-0 up, but it was 2-1. That’s where the second half got complicated.

Highlights: Real edge past rivals Atletico through Diaz, Rodrygo stunners

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"Although we also had many chances. But when you are 2-1 up in the 75th minute, what you have to do is avoid problems and defend well.

"I understand that people didn’t like it, but we must bear in mind that many of the teams that have played in the Champions League have suffered: Inter, Liverpool, Leverkusen, Bayern…

"It’s very difficult to prepare for these games, against teams that are doing well and put the intensity of Rayo into it."

Real star Mbappe bagged his 18th league goal of the season with a superbly taken strike against Rayo.

The France striker has overcome a slow start to life in Spain in recent months, his stunning hat-trick against Manchester City in the knockout round of the Champions League being a particular highlight.

Mbappe is now up to 28 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions for Real, but was replaced in the second half by Ancelotti.

"The goal is important," said the Italian.

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"Until the 70th minute, both he and Vinicius did very well, generating many chances.

"But when I think it’s time to defend, I take the forwards off. This is not a problem for me. It was the same with the decision to take Rodrygo off, because this will be good for him."

Ancelotti said that Jude Bellingham is "in good condition" after taking a knock, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will have "recovered by Wednesday" from a "small problem" after missing the Rayo match.

Real head into the second leg of their Champions League tie with a 2-1 lead after Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz scored either side of Atleti striker Julian Alvarez in a first leg lit up by sensational individual strikes.

The reigning European champions are bidding to set up a quarter-final that is almost certain to be against Arsenal following the Premier League side’s 7-1 thrashing of PSV in the first leg.

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid is live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday, March 12, with kick-off at 8pm UK time.