After a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday opened up the LaLiga title race, Carlo Ancelotti said that Real Madrid’s players haven’t been distracted by talk associating the club with Kylian Mbappé.

In Vallecas, the visitors took the lead with Joselu in the third minute. However, in extra time, defender Dani Carvajal was sent off and former Madrid forward Raúl de Tomás levelled from the penalty spot.

After Mbappé told Paris Saint-Germain that he plans to leave this summer, Madrid’s prospects of signing the attacker grew this week. As a result, Madrid leads La Liga by six points, with second-place Girona playing away at Athletic Club on Monday.

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“When haven’t we been focused?” When asked if the stories surrounding Mbappé were a potential distraction, Ancelotti responded in his news conference following the match.

We’ve probably always been [focused]. Not to mention today, when things didn’t go as planned. It’s hard to criticise this team this season.”

Ancelotti later said, “We started very well and scored early.” “The game altered after [Rayo’s] penalty; there were more duels, it was more of a tussle, and there were more stoppages. We’re not happy about the draw, but we’ll press on. We’re in a good place.

“We need to win every game, but it’s also critical to not lose if you can’t win in order to win the league.” Even if a draw can occasionally be painful, it can ultimately help us win the league.”

Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga, a midfielder, will now serve suspensions for Madrid’s match against Sevilla the following weekend.

After a late altercation with Rayo’s Kike Perez, Carvajal was given a red card, and Camavinga was given his fifth yellow card of the year for arguing with the referee.