Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Courtois, Asensio, Nacho, injuries after RB Leipzig 3-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s game at RB Arena on Tuesday night was a significant event in the picture of their overall season so far. Los Blancos were unbeaten heading into the clash against RB Leipzig but everything changed on the field as they fell to a 3-2 defeat.
The loss does not have any serious implications for the team’s chances in the UCL but is a big psychological blow to the team’s mentality. Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press after the game in Germany and addressed topics including the shocking result and injured players.
The manager first talked about how the team took Tuesday’s defeat and the implications it had on their UCL campaign.
“This defeat hurts but not so much. We still can qualify as first.”
“You learn more from a loss than from 10 wins in a row. We are going to focus on what has not gone well. We haven’t been good on set pieces in defence, where we’ve conceded two goals. We are usually better, but this can happen. We haven’t played the game we wanted.”
He then mentioned that a first defeat was always around the corner and did not show much disappointment at the result.
“It was obvious that sooner or later we would have lost a game. It happens.”
After the game, Thibaut Courtois spoke to the press and said that the team lacked intensity. When asked about his goalkeeper’s comments, Ancelotti said,
“Courtois said we played without intensity? Everyone has their opinion.”
The manager refused to comment on his team’s performance and that of Leipzig. He simply said that his team could not make the most of their opportunity.
“Leipzig played the way they wanted. We had our chances but it didn’t end well. I can’t say anything more.”
Luka Modrić, Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde were all unavailable on the night and Ancelotti acknowledged that their absence impacted the result against Leipzig.
“If we missed the injured players? Of course, we had absences tonight. The players who were in Madrid couldn’t play obviously, and today’s players have won many games. I haven’t changed the team much.”
On Marco Asensio, who made his first start of the season, Ancelotti added: “He played well, he suffered like everyone else, he gave an assist.”
On changing the positions of Nacho and Antonio Rudiger during the game, he explained: “Nacho was more used to pressuring up front than Rudiger and I think he did well, we entered the game and we had the opportunity to make it 2-2.”
Source: MARCA
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
