Ancelotti criticizes and expresses frustration towards Valverde, Bellingham, Ceballos, and Asensio ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Girona.
Real Madrid aims to return to winning form in La Liga as they prepare to host Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday afternoon.
The reigning champions are experiencing a rough patch, having failed to secure a victory in their last three league games. They suffered a defeat against Espanyol and were held to draws by Atlético Madrid and Osasuna, allowing Barcelona to take the lead in the standings. With Barça set to play Las Palmas tonight, Real Madrid must bounce back to prevent their rivals from extending the gap.
Ahead of the crucial clash, manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media in a pre-match press conference, touching on several key topics, including Jude Bellingham’s two-match suspension and the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw against Atlético Madrid.
Emphasizing the significance of the upcoming fixture, Ancelotti stated:
“This is a crucial stage of the season. We need to replicate our strong performance against City. Every match matters in this competitive league, and we can’t afford to slip up.”
When asked about Real Madrid’s recent struggles, having picked up only two points from their last three matches, the Italian coach attributed it partly to bad luck.
“We’ve played well in our last three games but lacked the results. If we continue with the same attitude and performance, the results will come,” he said.
Speaking about the UCL Round of 16 draw, which pits Real Madrid against city rivals Atlético, Ancelotti acknowledged the challenge ahead:
“As always, it will be a tough contest. It’s going to be an exciting and balanced tie since both teams possess similar quality.”
Ancelotti also voiced his frustration over Bellingham’s suspension following his red card against Osasuna, but he accepted the decision, stating that the club would appeal in hopes of reducing the ban.
“We have to respect the decision, but the club will appeal. Another player will step in tomorrow,” he noted.
Regarding reports that Federico Valverde played against Manchester City despite needing a painkiller injection, Ancelotti hinted at the possibility of giving him a rest.
“He’s been playing well, but if he needs rest, he’ll sit out. It’s possible he won’t play tomorrow,” he added.
Ancelotti has faced significant criticism in recent months, with questions surrounding his future at the club. However, with Real Madrid still in contention for multiple trophies, he remains unfazed.
“I feel valued by the club and my players. That’s enough for me. I can’t please everyone, but what matters is that the club, players, and fans are satisfied with my work,” he said.
Providing an update on Dani Ceballos, who picked up a minor injury in training, Ancelotti reassured that the midfielder is fine.
“He’s doing well, just like the others. I’ll assess who needs rest before deciding the lineup. Alaba might feature tomorrow,” he explained.
The Real Madrid boss was also asked about young talent Raúl Asencio and how he handles praise. Ancelotti downplayed any concerns, praising the player’s work ethic.
“He hasn’t changed since arriving at Castilla. He’s focused and improving step by step. His mentality and concentration have helped him win tough games,” he commented.
When asked about Atlético Madrid’s social media posts mocking Real Madrid, Ancelotti responded humorously:
“I barely understand what a tweet is… I don’t pay attention to these things.”
As for the tight La Liga title race, he acknowledged the fierce competition:
“La Liga is highly competitive. Three teams are within a point of each other, and they are all top-quality sides. The title will likely be decided on the final day.”
