Ancelotti hails defence as best form of attack
Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid's forwards have improved defensively in recent weeks to turn his side into a more solid outfit in its bid for the title this LaLiga season.
Madrid's star-studded front line, which includes Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, have all impressed in front of goal for Los Blancos.
Between the quartet, they have netted 39 of Real's 54 goals in LaLiga this term, helping it to the top of the standings, but level on points with Barcelona.
Indeed, this season, only Athletic Bilbao (22) and Atletico Madrid (16) have conceded fewer goals than Madrid (23), which has kept back-to-back clean sheets in the league.
Ancelotti believes that the defensive improvement has been helped by his forward players' work rate at both ends of the pitch.
"We have talked about it many times. Not just with Vinicius Jr, with everyone. And they agreed," Ancelotti said.
"It has obviously changed in the last few games. Since the game against Atletico Madrid (on February 9), the defensive improvement has been evident.
"Vinicius is helping a lot. It has changed the team a lot, because the strikers are working hard. The team is more solid."
Madrid travels to Estadio Benito Villamarin to take on in-form Real Betis, which has won its past two fixtures in the Spanish top-flight, as many as it had managed in its previous 12 in the competition.
Manuel Pellegrini's side has also been boosted by having on-loan Manchester United forward Antony available, with the Brazilian seeing the red card he picked up against Getafe last week successfully overturned.
Madrid has not won on either of its past two away trips in LaLiga, and has not gone three or more matches away from home without a win in the competition in the same season since May 2023.
Although Betis is seventh on the table and 19 points behind Madrid, Ancelotti said he would not field a weakened team to keep the squad fresh for its UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against rival Atletico Madrid next week.
"We're coming into this game with good momentum, but so is Betis. There's a lot at stake for both teams," Ancelotti said.
"The team's dynamic is good. We've done well by changing, rotating. What worries me is the strength of the rival, not our injuries. It's a match in which anything can happen.
"I'm going to field the best team because these are three vital points for LaLiga, without thinking about Tuesday. It's a very complicated match."
