Real Madrid puts their motivation to the test before the Clásico
Carlo Ancelotti’s men receive a needy Real Valladolid before trying to overcome the Catalans in the Cup semifinals
MADRID, 1 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid returns to LaLiga Santander this Sunday, against the needy Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabéu (4:15 p.m./DAZN), in search of a victory that revives their tiny league hopes after their defeat in the last Clásico, all at the start of a frantic month of April in which their future in the Copa del Rey is at stake, also against FC Barcelona, and in the Champions League.
Only three days will separate this Sunday’s match, the first of the nine that will be played this month, from the second leg of the cup semifinals, in which Carlo Ancelotti’s team will have to come back from the 0-1 loss signed in the first leg at the white coliseum by the Barça team, also their ‘executioner’ in the league competition just before the national team break.
After Ronald Araujo’s own goal in the first minutes and Sergi Roberto’s equalizer before the break, another goal by Franck Kessié from Ivory Coast in discount unleashed euphoria at the Spotify Camp Nou (2-1) and left LaLiga almost sentenced. .
Now, twelve points separate the Catalans (68) from the Real Madrid team (56), who with eleven games to go before the championship is resolved will have to limit themselves to waiting for nerves to play a trick on Xavi Hernández’s men. Before, this Wednesday, they will have the opportunity to gain confidence and sneak into the Cup final.
Villarreal, Chelsea -in the ‘Champions’ quarterfinal tie-, Cádiz, Celta, Girona and Almería will be their other rivals in a charged and decisive month of April, all while the Brazilian Football Confederation launches siren songs to Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian coach, who always maintained that he would end his coaching career at Real Madrid, is now being seduced by invitations to lead the Brazilian team, although he maintains that he would like to end his contract with the white club, with the who signed until 2024. The main objective, to win a title this season.
Thus, his path resumes this Sunday against Real Valladolid, a duel that Nacho Fernández will miss, due to accumulation of cards, and the injured Ferland Mendy and Mariano Díaz, and for which the Madrid coach will have to evaluate how all the internationals have arrived .
With Lucas Vázquez and David Alaba on the wings and Militao and Rüdiger as the central pair, Dani Ceballos will predictably take Luka Modric’s place in midfield, while Marco Asensio and Rodrygo will fight for the vacant position in attack, where Vinícius and Karim Benzema are permanent.
Opposite, Real Valladolid visits Chamartín in need of points and with the intention of moving away from the relegation zone. With 28 points, the Pucelano team has only two margins over dangerous positions after losing before the national team break against Athletic Club. In fact, Pacheta’s men have only added five points out of the last 18 in play.
Not even the latest setback for Ancelotti’s men in the Clásico allows them to trust themselves. “There is no good moment against these big teams because they don’t need a maximum level of activation to cause you problems. They are forced to win every day in all fields, that is something very hard and difficult,” said the Blanquivioleta coach.
In addition, they will attend with the crucial loss of Darwin Machís, injured in the femoral biceps, who joins the absences of the suspended Javi Sánchez and Sergio Escudero and Anuar. In exchange, they will have the Canadian Cyle Larin, a brand new winter signing who is predictably recovered from the trip with his team, and Jordi Masip, who has overcome his injury and could discuss Sergio Asenjo’s post under the sticks.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Kroos; Asensio, Vinícius and Benzema.
REAL VALLADOLID: March; Luis Perez, El Yamiq, Hongla, Joaquin, Olaza; Roque Mesa, Kike Perez, Flat; Silver and Larin.
–REFEREE: Pulido Santana (C. Las Palmas).
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.