Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti conceded there was room for improvement but still felt his side de-served to win their Primera Division opener against Real Betis.

Real looked like they would have to settle for a draw at the Bernabeu as they remained locked at 1-1 with Betis heading into the final stages.

However, summer signing Isco Alarcon popped up in the 86th minute to power home a header and earn Madrid the points.

New coach Ancelotti, taking charge of his first competitive match since replacing Jose Mourinho, believes Real were full value for the victory but admitted they were far from firing on all cylinders.

“I told the players that the first game is never easy. We had a good pre-season and we are excited. We didn’t play well, but that’s normal,” he told reporters.

“The most important thing is to win the match, and I think we deserved to win because we created many opportunities to score.”

Ancelotti added: “We can improve. We’ve had some good combinations, especially out wide. The problem above all was defensive.”

Ancelotti caused a surprise before kick-off when he opted to name Diego Lopez in his starting XI in place of long-serving club captain Iker Casillas.

Mourinho’s decision to replace Casillas with Lopez for the latter half of last season caused a massive stir but Ancelotti opted to continue with the latter.

Ancelotti said he made his choice on the day, explaining: “As I said, they are decisions based on minor details, but that’s the decision I made.”