Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that his team needs fresh legs following the 3-2 defeat to Rayo Vallecano.

The Los Blancos looked leggy against a tough pressing Rayo Vallecano, and couldn’t match the intensity of the home team.

Ancelotti said after full-time: “The quality was lacking a bit for us to draw the game. We had chances to score that we’d put away normally and we were a bit below par in terms of toughness.

“It’s not related to the World Cup. We’re heading into the break a bit stretched because we’ve played a lot of games. This is happening to every team.

“It’s hard to make it to the end and even more so when you play every three days. We’re not as fresh as we were before. In these types of games when the opposition presses you and is aggressive, you need players with fresh legs.

“It’s a normal thing. We’ve dropped off a bit but we’re still in the fight for everything. We’re disappointed we’re not top, but it’s a long league season. The players are focussed and doing their best. Sometimes things don’t go your way.”