Matchday 24
The Real Madrid coach stresses that the decision on whether or not the French striker plays against PSG will be made on Sunday or Monday
Carlo Ancelotti gave madridismo hope about the presence of Karim Benzema next Tuesday against PSG in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, but he was far from assured. «We have good feelings, he is having good feelings. We will see if he will train on Sunday or Monday with the team. Everyone’s feelings, mine, theirs, that of the doctors, are positive, but it will be decided on Sunday or Monday,” said the Real Madrid coach at the press conference prior to the duel against Villarreal, corresponding to the twenty-fourth League day and marked by the absence of the French striker due to muscle problems in the hamstrings of his left leg. “The most important thing is the health of the player. The risk does not exist. If there is risk we will not take it. We have to evaluate well, but if he plays on Tuesday it is because there is no risk », he added in this regard.
Ancelotti valued Villarreal. «They are doing very well, they are a team on a roll. They have quality and organization. It’s going to be a complicated game, but we’re going with confidence,” declared the transalpine, who assured that the focus is on the groguet team, despite the closeness of the lawsuit with PSG. “For us the most important game is tomorrow. We have a good position in the League, but it is a League that is being very competitive and I will put the best team possible. Then, as I said, we will have time to rest”, said the Real Madrid coach, who on the pulse with PSG, said that he hopes that both Neymar and Benzema can be there to see “the most entertaining game possible”.
The Whites’ coach is not worried that PSG will have one more day of rest, playing this Friday against Rennes. “I don’t really believe in those things. A day of rest does not give much advantage to another team. We have three days to recover and it is the necessary time to be ready », he commented before pointing out that his team could benefit from not having too much space between games due to his competitive gene. «If you are in a good moment, it will be good for you to play every three days but if not, if you are tired, I understand that you prefer to rest the week. Having too much pause time can also be bad. Sometimes too much water kills the plant », he snapped lapidary.
Ancelotti confirmed that Mendy will not enter the list against Villarreal, although he is confident that he can face PSG. “It’s pretty good. He will not be tomorrow but I think he will be for Tuesday’s game », he asserted about the left-back.
Alternatives
He talked about the alternatives he has to cover Benzema’s loss at La Cerámica, starting with Jovic. «He is much better, recovering from the loss he has had with the covid. He entered against Granada and fulfilled. Tomorrow he has options to play », he indicated about the Balkan. Another option is Isco, for whom he had good words. «Francisco has spent moments with less motivation because he has not had minutes, but in this period he is more motivated. He has done well, he is training well and he is an important player for us », he indicated about the player from Malaga, whom he has placed as a false nine in the last two games.
There could even be room for Bale, despite the Welshman not playing since August. “My personal relationship with him is very good, he is committed. It is one thing to see something in training and another in games. I see him ready to play. When you put it in, he will comply. Can someone tell me why I don’t add more… And I understand. But in the last 15 days I have seen him with intensity. He is ready », he commented.
Lastly, he referred to Vinicius, more rested after missing the match against Granada due to an accumulation of yellow cards. «He has been very good. I have given him one more day of rest because the month of January is very intense for him. I see him motivated and he can go back to being the Vinicius that we saw recently », he influenced.