Raphael Varane has revealed that a half-time pep talk from Carlo Ancelotti played a key role in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Los Blancos were drawing blanks with Paco Jemez’s troops until a quick-fire double from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez in the second half secured them all three points, and the defender credited the Coach for his side’seventual turnaround.
“In the second half, our intensity increased and our pressure [on Rayo] improved. It was very good result,” he said after the game.
“I thought it was a penalty [referring to Antonio Amaya’s challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo], but I was surprised that it weren’t from afar.
“[Carlo Ancelotti] demanded higher pressure from the top down and more intensity, and that’s what we did.
“It’s vital that we don’t drop any points. We must press ahead and keep thinking we can win the title.
“We must go on, there are eight major games [in the League] left and we need the whole team [to chip in].”
