LaLiga returns to the Santiago Bernabéu, as the league leaders welcome Getafe on matchday 31 of the competition (9 pm CET), just three days after the team’s spectacular win at Stamford Bridge. However, ahead of the return leg against Chelsea, the Whites will be looking to secure another three points as they bid to be crowned league champions.
As the league season draws to a close, Real Madrid face the first of eight crunch matches this evening in their fight to clinch the title. Carlo Ancelotti’s men top the standings on 69 points, having emerged victorious from five of their last six league outings, including last weekend’s win at Balaídos courtesy of a brace from Karim Benzema.
Carlo Ancelotti named his squad for Real Madrid's game against Getafe as follows:
REAL MADRID SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Diego.
Defenders: Carvajal, E. Militão, Alaba, Nacho and Marcelo.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro, Valverde, Lucas V., D. Ceballos and Camavinga.
Forwards: Benzema, Asensio, Bale, Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Mariano.
Carlo Ancelotti aloso spoke to the media ahead of Real Madrid's matchday 31 and said the following: "We're still recovering today. The team hasn't fully recovered, but we've got another day to get back to full fitness and field the strongest team we can for the match against Getafe. It's a very important game in the context of the league. We've got to keep winning. We'll prepare properly, perform well and pick up three more points".
He added: "Benzema has still got a very long career and keeps improving every year. He's improved his character and leadership on and off the pitch over the years. He's always been good, but he's standing out more at the moment because he's more influential, thanks to his personality and that's why he's more of a leader".
Mendy: "He hasn't trained today. He's still tired and we decided that he should do some individual work in the pool and gym. He's not injured, we'll have a look at him tomorrow. If he's not still tired, he'll be ready for Tuesday's game. Jovic still has problems with his ankle but the rest of the players are doing well. After the operation, Hazard is recovering independently.
Ceballos' role: "He hasn't got the minutes he's deserved to play considering how he's been training. I haven't given him the minutes he's deserved. I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. He's a very dedicated professional. I'm a bit upset and annoyed that I haven't given him more minutes because he really deserved it. I'll give him more minutes in the coming games".
The team's fitness level: "I don't listen to what other people are saying, I just look at the data I have from training. I've never worried about the physical level. The team's in good shape and we'll go in to the end of the season in good physical condition. The medical staff have done an excellent job". Whatever is being said around here is coming from people who don't have the data we have, both from training and from the doctors".
Switching the focus from the Champions League to the league: "Apart from the physical side, which I believe we'll recover well, the mental part is much more difficult. You don't have to say anything on the mental side of things for a game like Chelsea, you only have to concentrate on strategy and approach, whereas you have to press a bit harder to give the players the focus and motivation they need for this type of game. Getafe beat us in January. You have to give them the respect they deserve".
Benzema compared to other strikers: "It's difficult to compare players from different eras. They're all top forwards. It's hard to compare him to anyone. Comparing Karim Benzema with Van Basten is very pleasing for Karim and also for Van Basten".
How does Ancelotti rate himself so far this season: "I don't rate myself. I try to do the best job I can. Being at this club motivates me to do my job to the best of my ability, we have to wait until the end of the season in order to determine if we've had the luck and the quality needed to win titles".
The success that Ancelotti has had this season: "This team has given what it can so far. Can we do more? I don't know, could we do a lot better? I think we could. The team has delivered so far in terms of the league with the advantage we've got, we're in a very good position going into the final stages of the season. We've done the hard work and now we have to put the icing on the cake".
Coping with the rollercoaster of being Real Madrid coach: "I'm lucky to be balanced and I'm very calm. I'm a lucky person in life. I've had COVID during the good moments, where I've self isolated at home in a room and I haven't listened to anyone. I'm used to this. When the team loses, the coach comes in to focus".
"The coach can sometimes set up the team well or set it up badly. Sometimes, when it goes wrong, the players have to be involved. A set up goes wrong if the coach gets it wrong but also if the players don't get it right. That's how it goes. When you're the coach of Real Madrid, you have to accept it more. The most beautiful place in the world for a coach is Real Madrid. You have to take the criticism. It's normal. I've not got a problem. It's a problem when you're criticised at a team that isn't a big team. The club will evaluate the work we've done at the end of the season and will make a decision. I enjoy this atmosphere every day and take advantage of it".
Bale: "He's fine, in a good physical shape. He's shown that with Wales. He wants to show it here too. He's ready to play. He's confident and he wants to end well at this club. Leaving the Bernabéu would be deserved and fair. He's had problems and hasn't played recently. He in the history books at this club thanks to his performances, his goals and his victories".
The presence of Valverde changes the way the team plays: "We play this system due to the characteristics of the players we've got. You could think that Valverde has played as a winger. He's played in a more positional position, not zonal, in order to prevent the winger from getting in behind. The system stays the same as it is hard for him to change the three midfielders. I think the position of the three midfielders is so important for this team. You also have to take into account that a player like Vinicius, who likes to play on the wing, means that a 4-4-2 gives him more defensive work".
If the team will need an extra dose of energy in midfield: “In evenly balanced games, the physical aspect and energy you have in the midfield help a lot. We also have to consider that with the technical ability both Kroos and Modric possess, the energy on the ball was one of the key aspects against Chelsea. They allowed us to play out from the back well and find the spaces in between the lines. Everyone has praised Valverde for his performance, and I agree, but his freshness helped others to show more quality on the ball”.
The arrival of Mbappe and Haaland effect on Benzema: “Considering Benzema’s age and the fact that he’s still getting better and better, he won’t be affected be any other teammates. Benzema will also be part of the future, whoever plays with him in attack. He’s one of the club’s most important players”.
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