Have Real Madrid lost 'focus' due to Kylian Mbappe transfer saga? Carlo Ancelotti explains why La Liga leaders had to play a 'different game' during frustrating draw at Rayo Vallecano

La Liga leaders Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday despite taking an early lead through Joselu. The home team pulled level through a penalty in the first half and the capital club even saw Dani Carvajal sent off at the end of the match.

Asked if his team have lost focus this week following the news that Mbappe could be on his way to Santiago Bernabeu, Ancelotti explained why his team's performance was rather unusual.

He told reporters: "When is the team not focused? We are always focused, today too. It's very difficult to reproach the team for anything this season. It's not easy to win here. You have to play a different game, the pitch is small, you have to adapt."

The media is abuzz with speculation about where Mbappe will be playing now that he has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will leave this summer. Madrid are still the favourites to sign him, having been linked with him constantly for the last few years, but it has been reported that Manchester City held talks with a representative of the forward, too.

Before they can wrap up a deal and welcome Mbappe to the Spanish capital, Madrid will hope to wrap up the Spanish league title. Their draw at Rayo gives nearest challengers Girona the chance to move three points behind them at the top of the table. Ancelotti's team are also pushing for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having beaten RB Leipzig 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.