Ancelotti: Real were unlucky
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was disappointed with his team's 1-1 result against Villarreal and felt his team deserved more from its attacking display.
Gerard Moreno's equaliser cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's opener as the Liga leaders drew for the first time this season. The outcome at the Bernabeu stadium saw Real's lead over Barcelona at the top of the standings cut to just two points.
"We are not satisfied," Ancelotti told his club's official website. "It's the first time we have drawn. The game didn't turn out well but it wasn't a physical problem. Villarreal are very well organised, have a clear plan and always play a quality game. We created a lot of openings but we were unlucky.
"It wasn't a case of being anxious. We had a lot of chances and (Villarreal's Sergio) Asenjo made good saves. We were unlucky in our finishing. We had 24 shots and only seven on target."
Real, who finished third in La Liga last season, have won 20 and lost four of their 25 league games so far. Ancelotti has urged his players to put Sunday's setback behind them and focus on taking maximum points at Athletic Bilbao.
Real travel to San Mames stadium to face Athletic on Saturday before hosting Schalke in the UEFA Champions League last 16 return leg three days later. "The team is improving," he said. "We have dropped two points, but La Liga will be decided in the final match.
"We have to focus on the two-point lead we have got, which isn't much, but is a lead we must make the most of. Now we have to carry on and in the next game, which will be difficult, try to produce a good reaction."