Carlo Ancelotti hailed the remarkable depth on Real Madrid’s bench as they orchestrated their 10th comeback of the season, clinching a thrilling 2-1 victory against Las Palmas and reclaiming the summit in LaLiga.

In a riveting encounter, Javi Muñoz initially propelled Las Palmas into the lead at the Gran Canaria Stadium, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround. Goals from Vinícius Júnior and substitute Aurélien Tchouaméni sealed the triumph for Madrid, showcasing their resilience without the suspended Jude Bellingham.

This marks Madrid’s second consecutive comeback win, following their 3-2 success against Almería last week. Their knack for overturning deficits is a recurring theme, evident six times in the current LaLiga campaign, thrice in the Champions League, and once in the Spanish Supercopa.

Ancelotti, in a post-match press conference, highlighted the bench’s instrumental role, describing it as a potent tool with motivated options ready to contribute. While acknowledging a preference for taking the lead, Ancelotti emphasized the strategic advantage of having numerous options on the bench to alter the game’s dynamics.

The match’s turning point occurred after a cautious first half when Muñoz’s goal gave Las Palmas the lead. Ancelotti credited this moment as a catalyst, prompting changes in the system to widen their approach. Despite the lack of spectacle, the performance was deemed effective, considering they faced a formidable opponent.

Addressing the decision not to bring in Luka Modric, Ancelotti clarified that he respected the player’s readiness, noting that Modric did not warm up due to uncertainty about his playing time.

Tchouaméni, responding to recent criticism following the Copa del Rey elimination, silenced doubters by netting the winner just three minutes after coming on. Despite acknowledging room for improvement in the Copa del Rey goal conceded, Tchouaméni reaffirmed his unyielding mentality, expressing his dream-like experience of playing for Real Madrid.

The victory propelled Madrid back to the top of LaLiga with 54 points from 21 games, establishing a two-point lead over Girona. Tchouaméni cautioned about numerous rivals in the race, including Barcelona, Atlético, and Athletic Club, emphasizing the team’s focus on winning all remaining games to secure the championship.