Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid were not dominant enough to deserve their 2-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday. (More Football News)
Aftꦛer a tight first half, which saw Los Blancos manage just two shots on target, they secured all three points thanks to second-half penalties from Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
They were far from their best though, accumulating jus𝔉t 0.6 expected goals from 16 shots (six on targ🎃et), while they just edged possession with 52%.
However, Ancelotti praised his players' resilience and was pr🤪oud of how they were able to endure the ওhome side's pressure.
"It was a complicated match. We didn't deserve to win, beca🥀use Real Socieไdad pushed us really hard," he told a press conference.
"We held on and suf♏fered, showed character and a lot of commitment. I value that a lot because it's not easy to find commitment in a team with so mu💞ch talent and quality, and today we did it.
"I leave very satisfied, and then we have to be self-critical in order to improve. It's a great opportu𝄹nity for us to assess what w𒈔e didn't do well but with three more points in the table."
Madrid ༒are second on 11 points, one behind Barcelona who visit fifth-placed G𓆏irona on Sunday.
Ancelotti acknow♑ledged his side were struggling with fatigue and poor form, but said it was to be expected due to a busy calendar, coming off the back of ♔the international break.
The Italian said he saw improvement in Mbappe's per𓄧formance as the France captain settles in at his new club, having scored his third goal for Madrid on Saturday.
"We can talk about all the problems in the world with this match, but the important thing was to get out wi𝓀th a win," added Ancelotti, who was without midfielders Jude Bellingham, Ed🐟uardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni.
"We have to take into account that we are not 🏅at 100%. It's normal, we don't have four midfielders who are injured. I value a lot the 💝work of those who have played.
"I see Mbappe freshe🍬r, mo𓄧re active. He's very dangerous and combines well with Vinicius and the other forwards. He is improving a lot. I liked his game a lot."
Madrid ꧒now turn their attention to their Champions League title defence which starts on Tuesday against Stuttgart.
