Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of Sundaya s La Liga game against Valencia.
Real Madrid begin their year with a tough fixture. They travel to Valencia in their first La Liga game of 2015. Real Madrid are leading the league table with a game in hand and a point more than Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media and stressed on the importance of the game.
He said: “It’s a very important game, because we’d like to continue the run we’re on and stay on top of the table. It’s a very, very important match. Playing away from home against Valencia is very difficult and it would be great to get the win.”
Ancelotti insisted that Real Madrid need to give their everything to win the game against a Valencia who have changed considerably since last year.
a The game against Valencia is a difficult one in which we need everything. We’ll need to defend and attack well. They’re a team who have totally changed their style from last year. They’re stronger and more solid. It’s a very difficult match. They’ve shown that they’re a very dangerous team at home.
a This year, they have the defensive solidity that they were looking for with Otamendi, they have a very dangerous counter-attack and players with experience. They’re a team who have changed a lot from last year and have done well in the opening phase of the season.”
Ancelotti spoke about Ramos, who has returned to training, but may not play if there are risks considering the tight schedule Real Madrid have this month.
a He’s in pretty good shape, he has trained alone and now he has to train with the team. After training, we’ll make a decision on whether he can play. It’s a different situation to the Club World Cup, where he pushed himself to play because he wanted to. We have a lot of games after the Valencia match and if there are risks he won’t play.”
The Real Madrid manager spoke about the signings made by the cluba s immediate rivals and also about the Whitesa recent defeat in a friendly against Valencia.
“Atl tico have signed an important player in Torres, and Valencia have also done so in P rez, but I think that these teams’ style of play isn’t going to change. And the defeat to Milan won’t have an influence, because it was a friendly to prepare for this game.”
On Sunday, a victory will strengthen Real Madrida s position in the league and increase their winning streak in competitive games to 23.