Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti highlights his observation about Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea after pre-season win

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that Chelsea provided his team an 'intense' matchup. Los Blancos ended their pre-season with a 2-1 win over the Blues on Tuesday (August 6) at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.

Lucas Vazquez opened the scoring for the reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners inside 19 minutes before Brahim Diaz doubled their lead eight minutes later.

Enzo Maresca's side pulled one back through Noni Madueke six minutes before the break. But an equaliser wasn't to be as Los Blancos held on for their first win of the pre-season, having lost their first two games.

Following the win, Ancelotti told the club's website:

“The match was intense, fast and with a lot of changes up front because Chelsea have very speedy players. It was a game with a lot of transitions, and it was good for us to play."

Los Blancos had commenced their pre-season with a narrow 1-0 loss to AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago, with Samuel Chukwueze scoring the game's only goal 10 minutes into the second period.

In their next outing, Ancelotti's side slumped to a 2-1 loss to arch-rivals Barcelona at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A Pau Victor brace either side of the break put the Blaugrana in command before Nico Paz reduced arrears for Los Blancos eight minutes from time.

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Real Madrid boss looking ahead to UEFA Super Cup after beating Chelsea in pre-season

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is reasonably happy with his side's pre-season despite missing the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham due to their deep runs at Euro 2024.

The aforementioned players reached at least the semi-finals of the continental competition in Germany last month, with Carvajal's Spain beating Bellingham's England 2-1 in the Berlin final.

Ancelotti is now preparing his side for the season opener - the UEFA Super Cup with reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw on August 14.

“We're pleased to have everyone back, and we're starting to prepare for the Super Cup," the Italian told Real Madrid's website.

"The work has been good. The youngsters have done well. They've competed, and it's been a good experience for them. Now we want to think about the UEFA Super Cup.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also had an underwhelming pre-season - winning only one of five games - as they take on Inter Milan on Sunday (August 11) at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea open their new Premier League campaign at home to Manchester City seven days later.