Ancelotti: "We had a good first half of the season and we now have to look forward"

Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu to analyse the victory over Mallorca in the first game of the year: "In the first part of the season we  scored a lot of goals from set pieces and my coaching staff are working well on this. It's not something I'm in charge of. We have good set-piece takers and formidable finishers. There are games where the set-piece gives you an advantage."

"It was difficult today, against a team that is strong in the head-to-head and defends very well. We weren't at our best either. We lacked freshness and accuracy in the final third. We won thanks to a good set-piece."

First round
"We did well in the first half of the season and I don't think we could have done any better. It's already in the past and we have to look forward. It's going to be a hard-fought Liga. The surprise has been Girona, who are doing very well. It was predicted from the start that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético were going to battle it out until the end."

Only 11 goals conceded
"The fact that we're conceding few goals makes me happy and content. It means the team's working well and is committed. Against Atlético we had a problem at the back, but we have put things right and now we're very solid. This is the work of everyone and that's important."

"The goals conceded against Atletico opened our eyes that in that game we were weak in crosses. We fixed it by putting the centre-backs closer to the penalty area."

January
"I'm mindful that in the past we've had problems in this month, but what gives me confidence is that we're getting some important players back. Camavinga and Mendy will be there for the next game and Vini Jr.'s condition, who's been out for a long time, will improve. We suffered in the past, but I'm confident we can do well this month."

Praise for Rüdiger
"He's taken advantage of the injuries to the centre-backs, which have been significant, and he's performing at a very high level in terms of continuity. He's always focused and ready. He's a sure thing at the back and he's doing very well, he's doing his best."

Bellingham
"It's not surprising that he's not scoring goals. He's worked hard and when he's scored goals it's been a plus. He's lacked a bit of accuracy and freshness, like Rodrygo and Vini Jr."

Vini Jr.'s return
"The change was agreed. He had an important injury and the doubt was whether he would start the game or come on later. He played 60 minutes and it was good for him."

Arda Güler
" He's fine, he's calm. He's started training with the team and I'm very aware that he's 18 years old. Calm and tranquillity is important for him because he's going to be a very important player for the present and the future of the club. It's important to be patient. I'm patient and so is the player. Little by little he will have his game time and his role because the quality is there."

Brahim's form
"He's on very good form at the moment. I don't know how he missed that goal, but heading is not his best quality. He and Joselu have brought something different to a team that was suffering."

Goalkeeping
"There will always be a goalkeeper, but we'll see who. Lunin played today because Kepa has had problems in the last few days. Kepa will play in the next game and when we get to Arabia I will evaluate who plays in the next game."

Cup tie
"There will be a bit of rotation. There may be some youth players in the squad and maybe I'll opt to bring in a centre-back with Nacho. We have to try to play a good game."

On the refereeing
"He's a young referee, who is good quality. There were some small details with cards. We protested a lot, too much in my opinion because Lunin and Rodrygo were booked for protesting. I don't like that. In this small detail he could have got it right a bit more."