Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said he is “not worried” that his side have yet to win in pre-season.
The Champions League holders, after a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan last week, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Saturday.
Looking ahead to Tuesday's game in Charlotte against Chelsea, the third and final of their tour of the United States, Ancelotti said: “We are not worried. The result is not so important. These are pre-season games and we are missing eight players. We are working on our preparation and the players are gradually joining the team. The objective is for the players to have minutes and be in good shape.”
Madrid kick off their season against Atalanta in the European Super Cup on August 14 in Warsaw before beginning their domestic campaign four days later in Mallorca.
Ancelotti will have his full squad on August 7 with summer signing Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal among the players returning from holiday.
“I can assure you that we will compete with the squad we have,” said Ancelotti. “We can fight for all seven titles. The calendar is very demanding but we have the quality to compete for everything, that is what the club demands.”
Meanwhile, Ancelotti has called for patience with young striker Endrick. The 18-year-old, who sealed his move to Madrid on a permanent basis from Palmeiras this summer, started both of Madrid's games in the United States but did not score.
“We have to be patient with him,” Ancelotti said. “He has shown great quality and talent. Just like [Arda] “Last year Güler didn't have to put pressure on the young players, he has a lot of pressure behind him, he is a very popular player all over the world, especially in Brazil, but we have to be patient with these players, especially the young ones.”
For his part, Barcelona president Joan Laporta praised the youngsters of his team after their victory in The classic which followed their midweek draw against Manchester City.
“We promote young people and develop talent, which is the most important thing for us,” Laporta said Sunday at a club event in New York.
“We are very proud because there is a lot of work behind it. Of course we go to the market to sign good players, but for us it is essential to generate talent,” he added.
“We value how we win. We gave a good impression.” [against Madrid] And that is the most important.”
Barça will complete their summer tour of the United States on Tuesday against AC Milan.
