Ancelotti talks Bellingham, Courtois, Rudiger, Lunin, Endrick, Olmo ahead of Real Madrid vs Valencia | OneFootball

Real Madrid will have an excellent chance to go level on points with Barcelona and put some pressure on the current league leaders when they take on Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon.

The defending champions are three points behind Hansi Flick’s men, who are scheduled to play Real Betis later on Sunday, allowing Real Madrid to put some pressure on them by securing a victory over Los Che.

Ahead of the game against Carlos Corberan’s men, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media, discussing various topics including their goalkeeping situation and the registration of Barcelona star Dani Olmo.

Giving an update on the team’s condition ahead of what will be their third game in a week, the Italian said:

“We are fine. With some doubts, obviously, because of the extra-time effort. But the team is upbeat and motivated.

On the opposition, he added: “We are aware that Valencia are doing very well. We have a delicate, difficult game ahead of us, but we are in the fight. We are all aware that this is an important moment in the season.”

Ancelotti was then quizzed about the CSD’s decision to allow Barcelona duo Dani Olmo and Pau Victor to remain registered and asked whether the Catalans are given favourable treatment.

In response, he said: “It’s not a question for me. I don’t want to comment on this issue.”

On whether Olmo’s registration ‘adulterates’ the competition, he said: “No, I don’t think so.”

With Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin both injured, Real Madrid find themselves in a difficult spot with regard to their goalkeeping position, with academy youngster Fran Gonzalez set for his senior debut vs Valencia.

Addressing the situation, Ancelotti remarked: “There is no concern. Firstly, because Courtois is much better, we believe he can make it to Tuesday. For tomorrow’s game we have a doubt about Lunin, who is going to be tested today in training.”

Continuing, he added: “And if he’s not well, we have total confidence in Fran. He’s a great goalkeeper, the only problem he has is that he’s young, but sooner or later your time will come.

“If his time comes tomorrow, we will be very happy for him, because we are all convinced that he has a great future as a goalkeeper. So, no worries on our part in this regard.”

No Courtois for Real Madrid vs Valencia. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Regarding Antonio Rudiger and a possible UEFA sanction against him heading into the Arsenal clash, Ancelotti stated that he had no worries, saying:

“We have to wait, that’s all. I don’t think anything will happen and that Rudiger will be able to play in Tuesday’s game.”

When quizzed about the possibility of resting Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid head coach remarked:

“It’s an option we have. But he is a player who recovers very quickly and he is in a good dynamic. We will see in today’s training session, but it is an option to rest him.”

On whether there is a chance of Endrick and Arda Guler getting another chance to start tomorrow, Ancelotti did not rule out anything, as he said:

“They can have it, as they have had it in the last few games. Endrick performed very well against Real in the previous game. They have shown that they can help the team in this very important moment.”

On his ongoing court case concerning tax evasion a decade ago and the fact that he gave statement at a trial earlier this week, Ancelotti noted:

“It was a new experience and nothing more. Now we have to wait for the judge’s sentence.”

On the prospect of facing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, having already suffered two heavy defeats against this season, Ancelotti said:

“I think you can postpone this question until the [cup] preview and if you’re in Seville, I’ll tell you how we’re going to handle it. Now what we think is that we are very happy to be playing in a great final and to be very close to another objective.”

The Italian was then asked if he would consider leaving Real Madrid should he lead them to a treble this season. In reply, he said:

“I have already answered. I won’t be the one asking to leave this club.”

Real Madrid have been unable to string together an extended run of victories in La Liga this season. Given Barcelona’s form, the Merengues might need to win all their remaining nine games to stand a chance of lifting the trophy.

On whether such a run would be possible, Ancelotti remarked: “We have to be optimistic and think that we can do it. We are very close in all competitions and we are confident. From what has happened in the past, we can do it.”

Regarding Real Madrid’s recent defensive lapses, particularly against Real Sociedad in midweek, the manager explained:

“It’s true that we have improved collectively. Individual failures, no. I think that in the game against Real, Alaba, who had a good game, was unlucky. In the statistics of the matches we have had very low expected goals.

For the attitude we had defensively we didn’t deserve to concede four goals. This year we are much more effective up front because of the arrival of Mbappe, who has 33 goals, and there is a bit more suffering at the back.

“This is normal. When you have to choose one thing can happen. We’re thinking about having this effectiveness and doing a bit more collective work defensively.”

Source: AS