Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful of his side winning titles in the 2021/22 season following their win over Barcelona on Sunday.
Madrid beat Barca with a 2-1 scoreline with David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez getting on the scoresheet.
Ancelotti was pleased by the efforts of his team and lauded them, adding that they stand a chance of competing with some of the best clubs this season.
“I’m happy. It wasn’t an easy game, given how well Barcelona played,” the gaffer said after the game.
“It was a practical and intelligent performance from us. We were good defensively, although we could have played out from the back better in the first half. But, we showed our quality on the counter attack. I think we’re a solid team and we can compete. Rodrygo and Vinícius are doing good defensive work. I think the whole squad is playing well. Everyone wants to play and that is good. We’ve played a great team today and we suffered, but we showed we could suffer together. It’s a positive if you don’t lose control even when you don’t have the ball.”
The Italian also took time to heap praise on Alaba after the Austrian scored his first goal for the club just 32 minutes into the game.
He said: “Normally Alaba isn’t in that kind of area when he plays centre-back. Shooting is one of his qualities and he had space and it came off well.”
Having come into the game in the second half, Federico Valverde was replaced once again after a head collision with Gerard Pique while Thibaut Courtois looked to have also picked up a knee injury but Ancelotti has calmed all fears regarding the situation of both players.
“Courtois had knee pain and it seemed serious, but then he felt fine. At that moment, we only had one more substitution slot left and we did think about it. But, in the end, he felt fine. As for Fede Valverde, I think it’s just a knock, but we’ll evaluate it tomorrow,” Ancelotti concluded.
