Dep. Alavés 0–1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid pulled off a stunning win over Deportivo Alaves late on Thursday night to take three much-needed points ahead of Christmas.

The win brings Los Blancos back on level terms with Girona and to the position of joint leaders heading into the new year.

Lucas Vazquez was the hero on the night for the men in white, striking gold in the 92nd minute to steal the win. What makes the win more impressive is the fact that Real Madrid pulled off the result by playing a man down for over 35 minutes.

Speaking to the media after his team’s win at Estadio de Mendizorroza, Carlo Ancelotti expressed his admiration of the team’s mentality to press for a win being a man down.

"We are very satisfied with tonight because it has been difficult and complicated, but thanks to the enormous commitment of the team we have won. Playing with ten for more than half an hour has been a huge effort. That’s why we deserved to win in the end."

"The game has been complicated and with one less everyone thought it could be the day it was punctured. This equipment has unknown energy. We have endured well, played well and defended well with ten and in the end, we have had a prize," he added.

Providing an update on Rodrygo’s fitness and his thoughts on Vazquez’s last-gasp winner, the coach said,

"Rodrygo is a little tired and Lucas Vázquez scored today and gave an assist against Villarreal. He is dangerous within the area."

Giving his two cents on the recent ruling in favour of the European Super League, Ancelotti extended support to the new competition and enlisted some of its biggest positives.

"It has been important for all football and clubs. There are clubs that are not so convinced, but the fact that there is not only a monopoly that manages our world I think will be positive for all clubs and players."

"It can improve the international calendar, which is what worries us at the moment. Time will tell that it is positive. I am convinced that it will be positive for everyone. I haven’t had time to look at the format, but this decision is going to be very good for football," he added.

The manager was then asked about Aurelien Tchouameni who was forced to play at centre-back after captain Nacho’s red card on the night.

"He will get angry, but he’s a spectacular centre-back. He plays very well, he takes the ball out from behind like few others and tactically he is very good. He is lucky that he can play in two positions: as a pivot and as a centre-back," Ancelotti said about the French midfielder.

Bellingham cut a frustrated figure at times against Alaves and his impulsive reaction even earned him a booking on the night. The manager, however, backed the player and insisted that he did not have to change anything.

"It has not been a protest. It has been a foul in which they have not taken out a card. He doesn’t have to change his attitude because that’s how he has scored 14 goals. He doesn’t have to change anything he does in the field because he’s making it spectacular."

Speaking about the pivotal point of the game, Nacho’s red card, the Italian gaffer said: "The referee has seen it as yellow and the VAR as red. That’s the problem with football, that the referee sees the play in one way and the VAR in another."

Finally, the Real Madrid manager’s press conference ended with a comment on Girona who dropped two points against Real Betis and the implication on the title race.

"Tying with Betis is not so easy and Girona has shown all the quality it has shown throughout the season. I think he’s going to fight until the end because he doesn’t have a European competition."

"I also think that Barcelona and Atlético will be there until the end. And watch out for Bilbao, who is playing very well too," he added.