Ancelotti talks Valverde, Bellingham, Ceballos, Asencio, Atletico ahead of Real Madrid vs Girona | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be hoping to get back to winning ways in La Liga when they host Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.

The reigning champions have gone three matches without a win, losing to Espanyol and then being held to draws by Atletico Madrid and Osasuna, allowing Barcelona to overtake in the league table.

As such, it is important for the Merengues to get things back on track, especially with Barça with a chance to open up a lead as they are in action tonight against Las Palmas.

Ahead of the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media in his pre-match press conference, discussing various topics including Jude Bellingham’s two-match ban and the UCL Round of 16 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Kicking things off, Ancelotti stressed the importance of tomorrow’s match for his team, saying:

“It’s an important moment in the season. We have to repeat our good performance against City. We can’t slip up, the league is very competitive and every game is vital to get to the end of the competition.”

When asked to explain the reason behind Real Madrid managing to collect only two points from their last three games, the Italian replied:

“We’ve had a bit of bad luck. The last three games we’ve done quite well. We have to continue in this vein, because if you play well and have a good attitude the result will reward you.”

The Real Madrid boss then gave his thoughts on the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw which pits his team against Atletico Madrid in a derby.

“Difficult, as always. It’s going to be a nice, entertaining and balanced tie. The quality of the two teams is similar,” noted the Los Blancos manager.

Ancelotti also expressed his dismay at the two-match ban handed to Bellingham for his red card against Osasuna, but insisted that they have to accept the decision.

“We have to accept this decision. The club is going to appeal to try to cut the two-match suspension. Tomorrow another player will play,” he remarked.

Amid reports that Federico Valverde played against Manchester City by taking a pain-killer injection, Ancelotti hinted that the midfielder could be given a rest, saying:

“He has played because he is very well. The day he has some problems or needs rest he has no problem to stay on the bench. It’s not out of the question that he will rest tomorrow.”

Real Madrid are on a three-game winless run in La Liga. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Real Madrid boss has had to go through a difficult period in recent months with serious criticism directed at him and his position at the club being questioned. But he seems to have turned things around with Los Blancos still in a position to win all trophies.

“I feel very valued by the club and by my players. This is more than enough for me. I can’t make everyone happy, the important thing is that the club, the players and the fans are happy with my work,” he said about his situation.

Dani Ceballos picked up a minor knock in training today and had to be taped up by the doctors. Providing an update on his condition, the manager said:

“He is fine, like all those who have played. I will evaluate those who need to rest. The squad is growing physically. Tomorrow it could be an option for Alaba to play. These are things I have to evaluate today.”

Ancelotti was then asked if he speaks with Raul Asencio to help him manage all the praise coming his way and not get carried away by it. In response, the Italian stated:

“I haven’t spoken to him about this. He hasn’t changed his attitude to when he arrived and played for Castilla. He speaks little, he is very focused on his work and what we talk to him to try to improve him, as we talk to all the young players.

“He has some weaknesses that he is improving little by little, but what has stood out the most is his mental attitude and his concentration that has allowed him to win very complicated games.”

On being asked about Atletico Madrid’s recent posts on ‘X’ mocking Real Madrid, Ancelotti replied:

“I’m already having trouble understanding what a tweet is… I don’t look at these things.”

Commenting on the intense title race in La Liga, he noted: “A competitive league like here in Spain is difficult. Here there are three teams within a point of each other and they are teams of a very high level. It’s a league that will be decided in the last game.”

Source: AS