Football | Spain
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti lauded young Spanish duo
Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez after they helped Los Blancos come from
a goal down in stoppage time to win 3-2 at Levante on Saturday.
Jese helped set-up his Spanish U-21 international teammate to level the
match with his first goal of the season as the game entered injury time.
And Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a remarkable revival with virtually the last kick of the ball when his deflected effort sneaked in off the post.
Ancelotti has come under increasing pressure to start Morata ahead of the misfiring Karim Benzema in recent weeks and he hinted the 20-year-old could see more playing time in the coming games.
"I didn't need them to convince me because I have a lot of confidence in them," he said.
"Morata scored and Jese was very dangerous throughout.
"They show a lot of desire when they enter the field, but I have the same confidence in them that I had before the game.
"Morata could start, although he doesn't yet have the experience of Benzema. He is a very important player for us and he is playing very well."
Despite the three points this was another unconvincing performance from Ancelotti's men following defeat to Atletico Madrid last weekend and a controversial victory over Elche four days previously.
And while the Italian admitted his side had been far from their best, he is confident that if they show the same fighting spirit they will soon start to improve.
"The first-half wasn't good, but the second was much different.
"We need more concentration because we gifted two goals, but the team showed great sacrifice until the end and never gave up.
"When this team plays, it can only take five minutes to win a match.
"From a tactical and technical point of view it wasn't good, but the result ends up being fantastic due to the reaction of the players. When you have players that fight and never give up then there is no doubt you can improve."
Barcelona were also forced to come from behind on Saturday to extend their winning start to the league campaign to eight games before eventually running out comfortable 4-1 winners against Valladolid.
Alexis Sanchez scored twice for Gerardo Martino's men, while Xavi was also on target.
But it was Neymar who was the star of the show and he rounded off a fine individual display with a goal of his own to seal the triumph 20 minutes from time.
The Brazilian was playing in a more central role due to the absence of the injured Lionel Messi, but Martino insisted the 21-year-old's quality shines through no matter where he plays.
"He plays well wherever he plays. There is no coach's secret," said Martino.
"At his age and the way in which he has integrated in just two months, there are very few players like him.
"He gives us goals, assists and he influences every facet of the game.
"I am sure he will keep improving, but there are very few players on his level."
And Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a remarkable revival with virtually the last kick of the ball when his deflected effort sneaked in off the post.
Ancelotti has come under increasing pressure to start Morata ahead of the misfiring Karim Benzema in recent weeks and he hinted the 20-year-old could see more playing time in the coming games.
"I didn't need them to convince me because I have a lot of confidence in them," he said.
"Morata scored and Jese was very dangerous throughout.
"They show a lot of desire when they enter the field, but I have the same confidence in them that I had before the game.
"Morata could start, although he doesn't yet have the experience of Benzema. He is a very important player for us and he is playing very well."
Despite the three points this was another unconvincing performance from Ancelotti's men following defeat to Atletico Madrid last weekend and a controversial victory over Elche four days previously.
And while the Italian admitted his side had been far from their best, he is confident that if they show the same fighting spirit they will soon start to improve.
"The first-half wasn't good, but the second was much different.
"We need more concentration because we gifted two goals, but the team showed great sacrifice until the end and never gave up.
"When this team plays, it can only take five minutes to win a match.
"From a tactical and technical point of view it wasn't good, but the result ends up being fantastic due to the reaction of the players. When you have players that fight and never give up then there is no doubt you can improve."
Barcelona were also forced to come from behind on Saturday to extend their winning start to the league campaign to eight games before eventually running out comfortable 4-1 winners against Valladolid.
Alexis Sanchez scored twice for Gerardo Martino's men, while Xavi was also on target.
But it was Neymar who was the star of the show and he rounded off a fine individual display with a goal of his own to seal the triumph 20 minutes from time.
The Brazilian was playing in a more central role due to the absence of the injured Lionel Messi, but Martino insisted the 21-year-old's quality shines through no matter where he plays.
"He plays well wherever he plays. There is no coach's secret," said Martino.
"At his age and the way in which he has integrated in just two months, there are very few players like him.
"He gives us goals, assists and he influences every facet of the game.
"I am sure he will keep improving, but there are very few players on his level."
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