Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says he needs to find balance in his squad if they are to replicate their successes from last season.
The reigning LaLiga champions were held to a draw in their opener against Mallorca on Sunday night, drawing 1-1 away from home.
Rodrygo scored for Los Blancos but there was no debut goal for Kylian Mbappe, who had chances but could not replicate his scoring form from the UEFA Super Cup win last Wednesday.
The Frenchman featured alongside Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham and Ancelotti was not having any excuses for the dropped points after the match.
He said: “Last year I was happy with some draws, but not today. We could have done much better. I don’t want to make excuses.
“We just had to do better, with more attitude. You can learn from these games. It’s clear where the problem is.
đź‘” @MrAncelotti: “We’re a very attacking team, but defensive balance is a fundamental factor.”#MallorcaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/oVL6yPOSMf
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 18, 2024
“We started the game well, but it wasn’t a good game. We need to defend better. We need more balance.
“We’ve said it before, we’re very offensive and balance is essential.”
Ancelotti is referring to the addition of Mbappe and where he will fit in best at Real Madrid when it comes to balancing the team.
Last season, the champions played with more of a false nine striker but Mbappe has so far been deployed as a natural frontman.
He will have the chance to score his first goal at the Santiago Bernabeu next Sunday when Madrid play Real Valladolid.
