Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team were “little by little” improving after their 4-1 comeback win over Espanyol in LaLiga on Saturday.

Madrid failed to score in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu – they have only scored once in the first half all season – and fell behind shortly after half-time to a Thibaut Courtois own goal.

The appearance of Vinícius Júnior – who was rested at the start – changed the game and goals from Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, Vinícius and Kylian Mbappé gave Madrid all three points.

“I think it was a good game. We reacted well after Espanyol’s goal,” said Ancelotti in his post-match press conference. “We played better, with more rhythm, we had more chances.”

“We played faster, moved the ball with more speed and better movement… our mobility is a very important weapon. The third goal was spectacular, a fantastic counterattack. Little by little we are getting back to our best form.”

Madrid have not always impressed this season, but are unbeaten in LaLiga with four wins and two draws and have now gone 38 league games without defeat, a streak that stretches back to September 2023.

There was a clear difference between their performance in the first and second half: 17 of their 18 goals in all competitions came after half-time.

“We spoke to the players before the game to see if we could change that dynamic, but we couldn’t,” said Ancelotti. “38 games without defeat show that the team has done very well.”

Ancelotti dismissed concerns about midfielder Jude Bellingham, who required treatment on his shoulder after an unfortunate fall, saying: “It doesn’t look like there is anything to worry about.”

He also praised the contribution of teenage striker Endrick, who came off the bench and won the last-minute penalty that Mbappé converted.

“(Endrick) is training very well, but up front we have Rodrygo, Mbappé and Vinícius,” said Ancelotti. “We have to be patient.”