Soccer-Real Madrid aim to avenge last season's losses to improved Atletico, Ancelotti says

(Reuters) – Real Madrid will be keen to forget their only two losses of last season when they take on fierce local rivals Atletico Madrid – the winners in both of those defeats, who are now an even stronger proposition, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday.

Ancelotti’s men visit the Metropolitano on Sunday, where Atletico handed them their first defeat of last season, a 3-1 loss in September. Although they remain unbeaten in 39 league matches since then, they also failed to beat Atletico in the reverse fixture when they drew 1-1.

By any standards Real Madrid had a spectacular season, securing their 36th LaLiga title and 15th Champions League crown. But Diego Simeone’s Atletico also dashed their hopes of a treble by knocking them out of the Copa del Rey in the Round of 16.

“It’s obvious that we have to avoid the mistakes of last year. That learning could be useful for tomorrow’s game. It is a difficult stadium,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“I think Atletico have improved a lot, they’ve signed good players and I think they’ll fight until the end for this League with us and with Barcelona.”

Atletico have bolstered their squad with new signings Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez, and they sit third in LaLiga with 15 points from seven games, trailing second-placed Real by two points and leaders Barcelona by six.

“Our team have been more united, more effective, and tomorrow is a very important test… It will be an entertaining match, hard-fought, because there is a lot of quality in both teams,” he added.

Asked how Madrid would fare without striker Kylian Mbappe, who has been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury, Ancelotti said his side were used to playing without him.

“Without Mbappe it changes a little, but not much. It’s a shame that he’s not here but we can make up for him well,” the Italian coach added. “Camavinga has recovered well, he is in good condition. If a player is available, he can play 90 minutes or none at all.”

Speaking of winger Vinicius Jr, Ancelotti said: “I think Vinicius is going to win the Ballon d’Or, but if not, it’s not a problem. We’ll move on and so will he, but I think he deserves it.”

(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)