Ancelotti talks Mbappe, Asencio, Alaba, Tchouameni after Valladolid 0-3 Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid comfortably took three points over the last-placed Real Valladolid on Sunday night, putting three goals past them in emphatic fashion.

It was particularly a special night for Kylian Mbappe who recorded his first hat-trick in the Merengues’ colours scoring two goals from open play and converting one late penalty in extra-time.

With the win in the bag, Los Blancos will look to embark on the next phase of their journey away from home with confidence.

Ancelotti’s post-match reaction

Speaking to the media after the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti commented on the team’s run of good form and began by praising them for taking all three points in Saturday night’s clash.

“The important thing is to score points. Obviously, the teams higher on the standings have more quality but all the games have to be fought and won because each team does everything to win,” he began on the win over relegation-threatened Real Valladolid.

“You can think now, after winning, that it was a simpler game. The team has handled the game and the situations well without haste. Once we opened the score, the game simplified,” he added.

Speaking on the hat-trick hero Kylian Mbappe, he said,

“Mbappe has been playing like this for a long time. It is the first time he has scored three goals and is contributing to the team. He has picked up pace and is a plus for us because he is a player who has a lot of quality.”

Hat-trick hero. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The win over Real Valladolid helps Los Blancos retain their place as leaders and improve their margin after Atletico Madrid’s slip-up earlier in the day. When asked if the league was close to being decided, however, he said,

“You have to be practical. We have done well in the league in recent weeks and are taking advantage at this time. But the League is too long to think it is over.”

“We have a small advantage and hopefully we can take advantage of it in the next games,” he added.

The men in white have suddenly begun looking dominant on the field for the first time this season, and Ancelotti revealed the secret behind the resurgence in form.

“Little by little we have picked up the pace, a good dynamic. We are improving in aspects that have affected us a little in previous games and we have to keep trying to improve in the aspects that we have had weaknesses.”

Finally, the Italian gaffer concluded his press conference by giving his two cents on the defensive combination and pairings, now that he has more options on his table.

“Asencio has complied. He is not so used to playing as a full-back but he has shown that he is a fast and attentive player,” he said on Raul Asencio who played as a right-back.

“He has played a good game, like Tchouameni as a centre-back. It’s nothing new. Little by little Alaba is taking more minutes and is very close to his first start,” he added on the others.

Source: Real Madrid website