Following a disappointing defeat against Athletic Club earlier in the week, Real Madrid will be looking for redemption when they take on Girona in La Liga on Saturday night.

The midweek loss in the Basque country meant that Los Blancos lost their advantage over Barcelona in the title race as they are now back to being four points behind them with a game in hand.

With the Blaugrana facing a tough challenge against Real Betis tomorrow, Carlo Ancelotti & co. must be ready to capitalise on any slip-up from the league leaders by bagging all three points in Montilivi.

On the eve of the match, Ancelotti addressed the media, confirming the dates for the return of injured stars Vinicius Jr. and David Alaba, among other things.

On tomorrow’s game, poor form, and criticism

Kicking things off by giving his take on the game against Girona, the Real Madrid boss said: “It’s complicated. Girona are doing well. They’re in the Champions League, but they’re competing very well. We have to take it as an opportunity.”

Regarding the strong criticism that he and Real Madrid are facing in lieu of their disappointing performances, the Italian remarked:

“I think it’s a criticism that I have to accept. The team is not performing at its best and, as always in football, the coach is the most responsible.

“Having said that, it seems to me that you are beating me up too much. Maybe you are tired of me. I am not tired. Criticism is acceptable and I understand it. Sometimes it’s fuel.”

When asked if the criticism is justified and whether it affects him, the Italian replied:

“When I say that criticism is acceptable, there is some reason. If you ask me, ‘Which stick bothers you the most? Some do, it bothers me. They affect. And when the stick affects the identity, it bothers more.

“If it is said that I have made a bad change it doesn’t affect, it is at a professional level. But it affects identity when it touches who you are. It’s like calling someone a fool or telling them they’ve done something stupid. It’s not the same thing.”

On how concerned he is regarding the team’s current plight, Ancelotti said: “We have to be optimistic, considering the problems we have had. We have a valuable, quality squad.

“We haven’t played our best, but we’re going to play our best. Sooner or later. My level of concern is medium.”

When asked to discuss about the team’s tactical issues and their problems against high pressure, he replied:

“It’s true that Liverpool and Athletic are very brave teams. To solve this we have to play more direct. Look for the second ball, on the break. It’s the easiest way. Long ball and fight for the second ball. That’s what we can do in the future, not force the ball out from the back too much.

“We have played Champions League finals using this system. I learned this very well in England. The long ball is another part of football. Because if you don’t have tall strikers, the second ball, when it drops, is also important. The centre-backs can win the first one, but the important thing is when the ball drops.”

On individual players

As reported earlier, both Vinicius and Alaba resumed group training earlier today, providing a much-needed boost to Real Madrid.

However, Ancelotti confirmed that neither player will be available tomorrow while confirming their possible return dates.

“Seeing Vinicius is good news, he has recovered very well. He won’t be ready for tomorrow, but he will be ready for the Champions League,” he said.

“Alaba has helped us a lot in training, but he needs another month. He will be back in January. The deadline for him is next year.”

The Real Madrid boss also backed Kylian Mbappe to turn things around after the Frenchman put in another poor display this week, saying:

“He is aware, because the post he made after the game is of a player who is aware of what he can and will do. We are with him.

“He’s not playing his best. There are many who don’t bring it out and are not aware. He is. And he is doing everything he can to do it as soon as possible.”

On what the marquee summer signing needs to do to prove himself, Ancelotti said: “I think it’s a problem of continuity and it will come when he and his teammates adapt to his characteristics, which are unique and special.

“It will come little by little. He’s aware and he’ll work to get there.”

On if the former PSG man’s problem was a mental one, considering he has now missed two penalties and was reluctant to take one against Getafe, the manager said:

“The issue of penalties, at the moment, depends on motivation. He has to hold on for the moment. Because the moment, sooner or later, will end. What gives me a good feeling is that in terms of intensity, he has improved.”

Discussing the game-management of someone like Mbappe and whether he needs to be left on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes or subbed off, Ancelotti said:

“You have to evaluate everything. Explain to him what he needs to do to improve on the pitch. I think that in terms of intensity of play he has improved a lot.

“Against Getafe he played 600 metres at maximum intensity and against Athletic he played 500. We have to support him, but that doesn’t mean he has to play every game.”

When asked if there was a lack of leadership in the Real Madrid dressing room, he remarked:

“We talked about it at the beginning of the season. The young players had to take more responsibility and from one day to the next they are doing it. Little by little. It’s not something immediate, it’s being built day by day.

“In addition, Carvajal’s injury has affected us a lot. Alaba, who usually takes on this responsibility, is not here either. And that has brought forward the process of the young players.”

On what is going wrong and whether the team is strong enough to come back, he remarked:

“It is difficult to find the real problem in a simple way. The truth is that the fact is that we haven’t been able to get the best out of ourselves so far.

“But I have a very good relationship with my group, with the team, with my players. We have the same thought: to bring out our best version as soon as possible.”

Source: AS