Real Madrid News
Injury update: Real Madrid duo set to be available for Liverpool clash
Real Madrid will be looking to book a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League when they face off against Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu this midweek.
And, ahead of the game, Los Blancos have received a double injury boost as Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy are all set to be available for the encounter, according to reports from MARCA.
Benzema missed the last league game against RCD Espanyol this past weekend as he was suffering from ankle discomfort. But as per the report, the Frenchman is back in training and has already completed two group sessions.
As for Mendy, he has been out of action since late January when he picked up an injury during a clash against Atletico Madrid. The French left-back was back in training just before the match against Espanyol, but was not ready to face the Catalan outfit.
But the defender, like Benzema, is understood to have completed two training sessions with the team. And as per the report, the feelings surrounding the French duo’s fitness are good.
So, unless something happens at the last minute, both Benzema and Mendy are expected to be fit and available for the game against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, in another positive news, David Alaba is also closing in on his recovery, having resumed his work with the ball, although he is yet to train with the rest of the group. It remains to be seen if he is ready in time for the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Real Madrid have one step through the doors to the quarter-finals, having clinched a sensational 5-2 comeback win in the first leg at Anfield. And Carlo Ancelotti & co. will now look to get the job done in a professional manner and guard against any sort of complacency.
Real Madrid News
Ancelotti could renew contract with Real Madrid if he wins the Champions League – report
The continuity of Carlo Ancelotti hinges on several factors and journalist Mario Cortegana, while writing for The Athletic, has confirmed that if Real Madrid do not sack him at the end of the season, the Italian will continue to serve the team at least until his current contract, which runs until 2024.
Furthermore, the report also states that Ancelotti could even be handed a contract extension if he leads the team to the UEFA Champions League triumph once again.
It is more than evident that Ancelotti’s Real Madrid future is far from certain. Ever since the managerial role at the Brazilian national team opened up, the 63-year-old is being pursued by the South American team.
Cortegana writes that even though Ancelotti is quite happy at Real Madrid, there remains a possibility that he will, indeed, accept the Brazil role if he were to leave the Spanish capital city as he sees this job as an appealing end to his managerial career.
At Real Madrid, he knows that he will have to keep winning trophies and this season, the La Liga honour is more or less lost. But with the possibility of winning the UEFA Champions League still open, Cortegana has reported that if the Italian does, in fact, succeed at winning the European crown, he might end up renewing his deal with the team.
At the moment, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is trying to keep a respectful distance, but there is absolutely no denying the fact that they have made him their absolute priority.
“Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite but it seems the fans’ too,” said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues about Ancelotti.
“Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about. They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career,” he added.
Ancelotti is aware that Brazil want him and Brazil know Ancelotti is ready to join, but everything hinges on what happens with Real Madrid this season.
If they end up winning the Champions League or even if Madrid decided to stick with him until his contract expires [2024], Brazil will be forced to look for alternatives. If not, one can expect the Italian to be the new head coach of the Seleçao.
