Ancelotti on Real Madrid’s 38-Match La Liga Streak: 'We Have Many Styles'

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti credited the team's ability to adopt "many styles" of play for their 38-match unbeaten streak in La Liga, speaking during a press conference on Monday. The Spanish and European champions have not lost a league game since their defeat to Atletico Madrid on September 24, 2023.

Ancelotti's squad has completed an entire league campaign without a loss, spanning both the end of last season and the beginning of the current one. Despite criticism from parts of the Spanish media regarding Madrid's approach, Ancelotti dismissed the idea that the team's playstyle is flawed.

"For me, I don't think it's like that, that we play badly," Ancelotti said. "What stands out the most is that Real Madrid, over these years, doesn't have one single identity. (We) have done things well, defended well in a low block, had very quick transitions, managed possession well in some games."

"Not having a clear identity makes some think that we don't have a style. And that's the truth, we don't have a style, we have many styles," he added.

Barcelona holds the current record for the longest unbeaten run in La Liga, having gone 43 matches without defeat between April 2017 and May 2018, under the management of Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde.

Real Madrid will face Alaves on Tuesday, with the team looking to narrow the four-point gap behind league leaders Barcelona. The fixture will also mark Ancelotti's 300th match as Madrid's head coach, combining both his stints in charge of the club.

When asked if top scorer Kylian Mbappe would start against Alaves, Ancelotti mentioned that "some rotations" could take place, referencing Vinicius Junior's substitution in Saturday's 4-1 win over Espanyol. Madrid found success in the second half of that game, after a goalless first half, a recurring pattern this season where they have only scored before halftime in one La Liga match.

"We should put more intensity in, but understanding that teams lower their intensity in the second halves and there's more space," Ancelotti explained.

Midfielder Jude Bellingham sustained a minor shoulder injury against Espanyol, an issue he has dealt with before, but Ancelotti confirmed that Bellingham would be fit to play against Alaves.

Ancelotti also confirmed that French defender Ferland Mendy has extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2027.