Real Madrid News
Valverde, Rodrygo, Lunin reflect on Elche 0-3 Real Madrid: “Have to win all games”
Real Madrid consolidated their place at the top of the La Liga table as they defeated Elche 3-0 away from home on Wednesday night.
Goals from Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio sealed the deal for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, sending them six points clear of rivals Barcelona, who will be in action against Villarreal later tonight.
It was an important win for Los Blancos, coming on the back of an impressive 3-1 victory over Barça in El Clasico. And Valverde, who continued his excellent goal-scoring streak, was elated after the match.
Talking about the performance of the team and the ten-goal challenge that Ancelotti has set for him this season, the Uruguayan said: “Happy for the team. He (Ancelotti) already said it, he had to pass the ten goals. I am focused to do it. It’s a nice pressure. I don’t want to be blamed for the coach retiring.”
During the game, Real Madrid had as many as three goals chalked off by VAR for offside. Speaking about that, the midfielder added: “You have to get used to it. It’s weird, you celebrate the goal and you think you’re comfortable. They cancel one, then another and then another… It’s like that.”
On the importance of the win after El Clasico, he said: “It’s hard, after winning an important game it’s hard. If we want to win all the titles, we have to win all the games.”
When asked if he can win the bet with Ancelotti and score ten goals, Valverde replied: “Let’s see if I can get it.”
Rodrygo Goes, who has been another standout performer for Real Madrid this season, also expressed his joy at the result, saying: “Whenever I speak, it’s that I’ve had a great match. I am very happy about the victory and the two assists.”
Talking about his position on the pitch, the Brazilian said: “I don’t even know what position. The coach always asks me to move a lot. I started on the wing, but I like to play in the middle. Moving is how I feel better.”
On the disallowed goals, Rodrygo added: “It was a bit of a weird game. After Karim’s goal, we were kidding, saying ‘I’m sure they’ll cancel it’.”
Giving his opinion on the challenge that Ancelotti has set for Valverde, the forward said: “I don’t want bets. The more goals and the more assists, the better.”
Andriy Lunin had a good game in goal for Real Madrid, as he made some important saves to keep Elche out. The Ukrainian has had to bide his time to get a run in the side and insisted that he is happy at the club.
“I am at the best club in the world, the best place. My family and I are very happy here. I enjoy every day. I work daily with the best, the training is of a high level,” he said.
On securing a clean sheet against Elche, Lunin added: “The clean sheet is important for the whole team, it gives us peace of mind and security. Upfront, with the players we have, we always do damage. The defensive phase was important. We played a good game.”
Source: Diario AS
It hasn’t been a good week for Real Madrid, who look all set to relinquish their Spanish league title to arch-rivals Barcelona come the end of the season, following a narrow defeat to the Blaugrana at the weekend.
However, as Real Madrid enter the international break, there is some positive news for Carlo Ancelotti and his men.
As reported by Toni Juanmarti, Barcelona look set to miss out on their two star players in Ousmane Dembele and Pedri due to injury, ahead of the upcoming second-leg semifinal tie against Real Madrid, in Copa Del Rey.
Real Madrid are heading into this game with a 1-0 defeat in the first-leg, meaning they must beat Barça with a two-goal margin in order to book a place in the final. The absence of both Pedri and Dembele, to that end, could be a major boost for Ancelotti.
Pedri, who was expected to return to full fitness for the second leg, has suffered a relapse. It has set his return back to three or four weeks late, meaning the youngster will not return until the April 23 tie against Atletico Madrid.
The situation is not much different for Ousmane Dembele. The explosive attacker is recovering slower than expected and though he was tipped to return in the league game against Real Madrid this month, he remains a major doubt for this Copa Del Rey tie.
However, Barcelona did register a narrow victory over Los Blancos even without these two individuals, so the task is definitely cut out for Ancelotti and his men as they look to exact revenge against the Catalans in Copa Del Rey next month.
