Ancelotti delighted with intensity

Carlo Ancelotti was pleased with Real Madrid’s second half performance, despite drawing 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao.

Los Blancos missed the chance to go level with Atletico Madrid at the top of the table on Sunday, after claiming just a point at San Mames.

But the Coach was happy with his team’s intensity, and also commented on Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card.

“We played well. It was a high intensity match and we hardly let them have any chances,” he told a Press conference.

“We did especially well in the second half. It could have been different because we scored first and dominated the match afterwards.

“Athletic Bilbao scored a fantastic equaliser, but overall we are going away satisfied with how we played.

“It was a good match overall, especially the second half. In the first they pressed well, it was more difficult for us in possession and we had to play more on the counter.

“The second half was different. They didn’t press with as much intensity and we had more possession.

“It's tough for me to say [whether Ronaldo’s was a red card] because I was not close to it, but the pictures show that it was a bit exaggerated.”

The Italian then commented on what was missing from their performance that meant they couldn’t get the three points.

“After Jesé’s goal we had control of the match and did not suffer. The team was well-balanced, but Ibai’s goal was a fantastic strike.

“We did not make any mistakes, it was a great goal. We hardly let them have any chances. Just one in the first half and none in the second half.”

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