Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted some frustration after victory over Las Palmas.

Joselu and Brahim Diaz struck for Real in the 2-0 win last night.

Ancelotti said: "I'm concerned by the end of the second half, we really let our rhythm drop off and we didn't have the game under control. We defended too deep with a lack of intensity. We tried to start strongly in order to avoid any problems and we won the ball back very well. In the first half, all we lacked was a bit of a clinical edge and in the second half we were missing the intensity. It's a period of the season when lots of teams struggle to find that intensity because fatigue sets in.

"Long balls are an option to break through the lines and get in near the goalkeeper. It's an option we need to have. I'm not a super fan of possession, I'm more about goals. There is always room for improvement. We linked up really well at times. That's the coach's job. The focus was on pressing hard and giving it our all for the first twenty minutes. In that sense, the forwards lacked a bit of sharpness on their finishing in the first half.

"Brahim and Joselu both contributed great things to the team. They could have found a bit more precision in the first half but we created danger thanks to the quality they both possess. When a player who gets less game time has his chance and plays really well, we're always thrilled because it means he's working hard and is motivated."

"Brahim can play anywhere across the front. If he plays as a number 10, he has to do more defensive work that doesn't fit his characteristics. When he plays as one of the forwards, he moves brilliantly with the ball at his feet and he has such quality. Against a team who play very narrow, he has that ability in tight areas so that really helps us. He's got such tremendous quality in tight areas."