Ancelotti: “Despite the problems, this team fights and plays well”

MADRID, 18 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, regretted a new serious injury in his team, that of David Alaba, after the 4-1 defeat to Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu, but recalled that the white team, “despite the problems” , “fight and play well.”

“I have not spoken with him, he has had a medical report that says a cruciate injury. It is a shame, we are very sad, another player falls. It has never happened to me. What the team has to do is what it has done with all the injuries, we have done more than everyone thought. Despite the problems, this team fights and plays well. It is the only way. We will see in the coming days if something can be done (winter signings),” he said.

The Madrid coach praised his team collectively and individually in a press conference focused on the white infirmary. “Vinícius, Camavinga and Güler will be with the team after the holiday break,” he said, while Mendy asked for a change due to an overload and Dani Carvajal could return against Alavés.

Furthermore, long-term injuries to Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militao are on the right track, giving both the option to return before the end of the season. On the other hand, Ancelotti stated that as an “emergency solution” he can use Aurélien Tchouaméni as a center back and recalled that there is still a lot of League left, after becoming the leader, in the absence of what Girona does this Monday.

“It's going to be a competitive League until the end, with Barcelona and Atlético in it,” he stated, before talking about Jude Bellingham once again being the protagonist, until a final clash with the referee. “He was the protagonist in the game, I took him off the field to avoid problems. When I can, taking into account that he had a shoulder problem,” he stated, also appreciating the good performance at the back.

“We started with a diamond, with the bands a little more exposed, we changed it a little. Today we put pressure in a spectacular way, it went very well, the best of the season. Villarreal was not comfortable for a minute “It is a great credit to my team. I think we are doing very well,” he commented.