Real Madrid are eight points behind Barcelona in LaLiga, but Carlo Ancelotti is far from giving up on retaining the title.
Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid’s goal remains to win every trophy possible this season, despite sitting eight points behind Barcelona in LaLiga.
Madrid have already won the Club World Cup, qualified for the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and are well on their way to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after their 5-2 first leg defeat at Liverpool in the round of 16. on Tuesday.
However, they dropped points in five of their last 11 league games to fall well behind Barca in the title race and also lost to the Blaugrana in the Supercopa de Espana final.
Ahead of Saturday’s derby against Atletico Madrid, head coach Ancelotti admitted things could be better but is confident they will crush Madrid’s Clasico rivals in their remaining 16 league games.
“We’ll try to win every competition. We’re second in the league so it won’t be easy,” he said, later adding: “No, I’m not happy with the season [yet].
“I’d rather be eight points clear and win the Supercopa de Espana and 5-0 at Anfield would be better than 5-2, but we’re still doing very well… Hopefully we can rebuild them.” lost points [in the league].”
Vinicius Junior was again key at Anfield in midweek, scoring twice and Ancelotti spoke highly of the in-form Brazilian.
“He works hard, he looks after himself and it’s so important that he can play at this level and avoid injury,” he said.
“What Vinicius shows on the pitch is what he always tries in training. He has improved a lot in finishing because he has trained a lot. After training, Vinicius spends 10 to 15 minutes to improve his shooting.”
“The challenge ahead of us is continuity. Trying for 90 minutes, that’s what’s difficult.
Ancelotti revealed that midfielder pair Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos will be available again after illness, while also confirming that Nacho will start at left-back against Atletico amid uncertainty over his long-term future at the club.
“I see Nacho every day and there were times when he wasn’t happy,” he said. “He didn’t complain and continued to suffer through periods of non-play. He was a professional and always delivered when I needed him.”
“I have a weakness which is that [I have to make sure] that Madrid is happy… and that will only happen if we win. I feel sorry for my players because I like them very much. I want Real Madrid to be satisfied.”