Real Madrid CF 2013/14

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has praised the evolving partnership between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo following his side's 7-3 victory over Sevilla.

The duo were in scintillating form as the Blancos thumped Unai Emery's men at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the Welshman bagging two goals and assists in the rout, while his Portuguese team-mate hit a clinical hat-trick.

And Ancelotti is enthused about the understanding the pair are seemingly forging together.

He told Marca: "We played really well. There were moments when we lost some concentration but the game was good. We need a little more balance."

"It was a crazy game. We started very well, but lost some balance."

"Bale played very well, showing great fitness, scoring two goals and forming a good understanding with Cristiano."

Xabi Alonso made his long-awaited return to first-team action following a five-month lay-off from a groin injury, replacing Asier Illarramendi on 64 minutes, and the Italian coach says the midfielder will be eased back into the fray.

He added: "We will need to give Xabi Alonso minutes little by little. He has trained very well."

The 54-year-old trainer went on to praise the effectiveness of his three-pronged attack, spearheaded by Karim Benzema who also bagged a double in the win.

"We played with more speed and used balls in the air. We need better balance to avoid problems but the attacking play was fantastic tonight."

"Karim played well, the three in attack were very good."

messiah wrote:did he do that after the pk

Super Laudrup wrote:Happy for Bale that he finally gets a little positivity. We got some goals and chances but the defence was horrendous and Ancelotti said nothing of it:

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has praised the evolving partnership between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo following his side's 7-3 victory over Sevilla.

The duo were in scintillating form as the Blancos thumped Unai Emery's men at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the Welshman bagging two goals and assists in the rout, while his Portuguese team-mate hit a clinical hat-trick.

And Ancelotti is enthused about the understanding the pair are seemingly forging together.

He told Marca: "We played really well. There were moments when we lost some concentration but the game was good. We need a little more balance."

"It was a crazy game. We started very well, but lost some balance."

"Bale played very well, showing great fitness, scoring two goals and forming a good understanding with Cristiano."

Xabi Alonso made his long-awaited return to first-team action following a five-month lay-off from a groin injury, replacing Asier Illarramendi on 64 minutes, and the Italian coach says the midfielder will be eased back into the fray.

He added: "We will need to give Xabi Alonso minutes little by little. He has trained very well."

The 54-year-old trainer went on to praise the effectiveness of his three-pronged attack, spearheaded by Karim Benzema who also bagged a double in the win.

"We played with more speed and used balls in the air. We need better balance to avoid problems but the attacking play was fantastic tonight."

"Karim played well, the three in attack were very good."

He has to make it clear that this is not acceptable for a proper team. Mourinho would not have let them get away with this. We let in way too many chances. Arbeloa and Marcelo were particularly vulnerable and Bale didn't do enough defensively and the central midfield was all over the place. Still not convinced about Illarra defensively. Hopefully Alonso coming back will give us some stability and order.

Benzema is starting to look like the Benz of old. Even at his best he didn't score a lot but he helped make the team more cohesive. It would be great if he got back to that mode again because if Ancelotti is going to play Ronaldo+Bale on each wing then we will need Benzema's build up play and unselfishness. Isco will also be crucial although he seems a bit off at the moment. I wonder if he is suffering from being moved around instead of having a real position.

I was out travelling so I missed the the whole Blatter thing but it seems like much to do about nothing.

Isco Benny wrote:Amused that Ronaldo refused to allow Bale to take the penalty kick when Bale was on for a hat trick and Ronaldo's first of the night. Says everything we already know about the man.

Jaime wrote:Also you didn't tell us Bale was a diver!!!! I thought the English didn't dive!

Jaime wrote:Also you didn't tell us Bale was a diver!!!! I thought the English didn't dive!

Ancelotti blasts complacent Madrid

After watching his side nearly blow three-goal leads twice in four days, the Italian tore into his players, whom he believes are not focused enough during games

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has blasted his team's slack attitude after their defensive frailties were again exposed in Saturday's 3-2 victory at Rayo Vallecano.

Los Blancos had surged into a three-goal lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, who struck twice, and Karim Benzema but narrowly avoided dropping two precious points after Jonathan Viera's quick-fire double from the penalty spot.

After citing similar struggles containing Sevilla's comeback attempt in Wednesday's 7-3 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ancelotti demanded an end to his side's propensity for complacency.

"Conceding like we have in these past two games cannot be a coincidence," the Italian noted to reporters. "Defensively, the second half was a disaster.

"This is something I have to talk about in the locker room, but I will address it generally here. I think we need to change a little and remove the superficial attitude we sometimes have on the field.

"A team of this quality should not risk losing the match when we are 3-0 up. To think that the match is finished at 3-0 is a big mistake. This is not football.

"It has happened twice and I am sure it will not happen again."

The capital outfit stay within six points of Liga leaders Barcelona but have already conceded 16 goals after only 12 games.

Ozil blames Ancelotti for Madrid exit

The attacking midfielder has hinted that he might have stayed at Madrid if the former PSG coach had given him the feeling that he was still an important player
Mesut Ozil has blamed Carlo Ancelotti for forcing him to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

The Germany international opted to say farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu side after the signings of Isco and Gareth Bale, but he has suggested that he might have stayed put had Ancelotti given him the feeling that he was still an important first-team member.

"It is very important for me that the coach shows faith in me and believes in me," Ozil told TF1.

"I had no doubt that I would stay at Real Madrid when last season came to an end.

"But then something happened and I no longer had the coach's trust.

"At Arsenal on the other hand, I feel the exact opposite."

Ozil, 25, has seven Premier League appearances for Arsenal so far, scoring twice in the process

Jaime wrote:It's really he said she said with this whole Ozil story. Ancelotti says he didn't have a good attitude. Ozil says the manager doesn't trust him.

It's over. Let's all move on.

Jaime wrote:
Bale--------------Benzema-------------Ronaldo

bluenine wrote:

Jaime wrote:
Bale--------------Benzema-------------Ronaldo

I have only seen a few games, but I am not sure that is the best attack for RM... Bale only looks half the players on the right, and Benzema is just not good enough for RM (admittedly I haven't seem that last coupla games). Don't you guys think the following would be better?

Di Maria - Ronaldo - Bale

Ronaldo plays like a striker most of the time anyways...

Jaime wrote: