Real Madrid Must Plug Defensive Leaks Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti demanded greater solidity in defence from his team ahead of their visit to face Alaves on Sunday in La Liga.

Champions Los Blancos, second, are chasing leaders Barcelona in the Spanish title race.

Madrid were humbled 3-0 by Arsenal in a Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash on Tuesday and have let in 11 goals in their last four games across all competitions.

Above all in recent weeks theres been a general dip among the team, Ancelotti told a news conference Saturday.

We have let in a lot of goals in recent games and we have to put a stop to that, above all when those up front are not as effective as usual.