After the international break in March, which saw 13 Madridistas travelling to defend the colors of their countries, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium welcomes the return of league action to its premises. The first game will have Real Madrid host Valladolid on matchday 27 of LaLiga (4:15pm, CET). Three weeks since the team’s last home fixture in the competition (3-1 against Espanyol), the Whites will be looking to mark their return with three points in front of their fans.
Ancelotti’s men begin a demanding month of fixtures, with the team playing nine times over three different competitions: Champions League, LaLiga and Copa del Rey. After the clash against Valladolid, Madrid will then head to the Camp Nou on Wednesday to take on Barcelona in the return leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. The madridistas also have the Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea and five more league clashes before heading into April.
The opposition: Valladolid, who go into the matchday in 16th position, come into the game on 28 points and a record of 8 wins, 4 draws and 14 defeats. The team's top scorers in the national league are Larin and Sergio León with five goals apiece. In the first round of fixtures, Madrid won 2-0 at the José Zorrilla with a brace from Benzema.
Ancelotti called his team as follows and then spoke in the press room at Real Madrid City the day before the clash.
SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Luis López.
Defenders: Carvajal, E. Militão, Alaba, Vallejo, Odriozola, Lucas V.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, D. Ceballos.
Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Álvaro
The coach analyzed the condition of his players after the international break: “The team’s doing well overall. Those who have returned from the national team are in good shape. Those who have stayed here have been working well. We were unlucky with Mendy's injury. We are otherwise prepared. I think the atmosphere is relaxed, we're motivated and focused on what we have to do. We don't talk about my contract or if I’m staying or going or whether the players will sign new deals. Here we only talk about the games against Valladolid, Barcelona, Chelsea and all the other matches we have to play. The rest is not an issue that worries me, the club or the players. They know what they have to do.”
Mendy’s injury: "We've got the same injury problems as the other teams. The demands of football sometimes result in injuries. Mendy has been unlucky with injuries this season. He's very important for us. We've managed to replace him fine and we'll try to continue to do so.”
Rumours surrounding his future: “It's a straightforward issue, I'm surprised by these rumours. I'm not worried about it, the thing I'm interested in is fulfilling my duty to this club. Everything's quite clear. I will stay here as long as the club allows me to. We've doing very well, and I have a lot of affection from the president, the fans and the players. The atmosphere is relaxed and we have these two months to try to win some trophies.”
He continued: “Everyone can express their own opinion, but the reality is different. Mine is straightforward because I have a contract and I want to honour it. I'm not doing it because there's a written agreement, but because I like this club. Everything that can happen after the end of the contract is a matter of the future and everything's possible in the future.”
Brazil: "I'm pleased that the Brazilian national team wants me, but I have to respect a contract that I want to honour. I don't know the president of the Brazilian national team, but I'd love to meet him and say hello.”
Vinicius Tobias: "As with other players in Castilla, Tobias has a lot of potential and is progressing nicely. Contracts will be sorted out at the end of the season".
Vini Jr. and Gavi: "Everyone has their own problems. Vinicius has had his and Gavi's had his, as have other players. That's football, but what's important is to respect people".
Rest ahead of the Clásico: "I'm not surprised or upset by the schedule. Yes, it's true that they have an extra day, but we have time to recover from the exertion of tomorrow's game. We don't have a problem.
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