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In the La Liga rankings, Real Madrid will be looking to extend their advantage over Granada when they face off against them at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. Granada is currently in second place.
Due to the fact that their rivals Girona and Barcelona both dropped points, Los Blancos were able to restore their position as the top team in the league standings after their victory against Cadiz by a score of 3-0 over the weekend.
Real Madrid followed it up with a victory over Napoli in the UEFA Champions League by a score of 4-2 and will be keen to sustain that momentum when they play Granada at home this coming weekend.
The manager, Carlo Ancelotti, was present at the news conference that took place before the game. During the conference, he addressed a variety of topics, including the injuries and fitness difficulties that have been afflicting the team.
Relating to Kepa and Bellingham
After Jude Bellingham did not finish today’s training session with the rest of the squad, his availability for tomorrow’s game was called into question. This was due to the fact that he did not participate in the practice.
On the other hand, Ancelotti has said that the sensation in the middle of the field is in good health and is prepared to play against Granada.
At this point, Bellingham is ready to play tomorrow. Both he and the game will be OK, and he will participate. The only thing is that he has been experiencing some soreness in his ankle.
He continued by saying, “Bellingham is very respected in the team not only for the goals he scores but also for the work he does.” He was praising the young midfielder.
“We have never asked Bellingham to score goals,” Ancelotti stated in reference to his current performance. This is something that he must continue doing, and there will come a day when he will not be able to score goals.
The Italian strategist also stated that Kepa Arrizabalaga has also recovered and will be ready for the game. However, he stressed that Andriy Lunin would continue to be included in the starting eleven.
“There is a Kepa available. He has been given the all-clear by the medical staff for the first time today, and he is training. “We will continue with Lunin, which means that Kepa will have a week to prepare for the match against Betis,” said Ancelotti.
He continued by saying, “The injury problem is a general problem because the calendar is very tight at this time of year.” This was in reference to the ailments that have plagued Real Madrid during the course of this season. We need to maintain our grasp on this, and it may provide an opening for the guys who have been less prominent up until this point.
“Within the context of the game, the aim for this weekend is to continue to demonstrate quality and efficiency. In anticipation of the match against Granada, he said that the collaborative effort of the squad has been the most important factor in the club’s recent run of success.
On the squad and winter transfer plans
Ancelotti made the following statement in reference to the present state of the team’s performance and the degree of depth that exists within the squad: “Who knows whether there will be a dip in January or February? The game of football is unpredictable, and we can’t make any preparations for it. We have no doubt that it will occur, and the most essential thing is to be ready for it.
His response to the question of whether or not Real Madrid would attempt to acquire a striker as a consequence of the injuries was as follows: “A striker in the winter transfer window? “The club has taken a fantastic approach, and the results are proving that it has received positive feedback.”
In the days leading up to the match, there has been considerable speculation about whether or not Carlo Ancelotti may provide some relief to players like Federico Valverde and Antonio Rudiger, who have been playing nonstop without taking a rest.
Regarding Valverde and his role, Ancelotti said, “It is difficult to say where Valverde contributes the most because he contributes wherever he is placed.” Valverde contributed wherever he was placed.
As a pivot, as an inside player, and as a winger at the same time. He is perfect in every way. He makes significant contributions in a variety of domains. He contributes a great deal of energy, and he is an important member of our team.
He continued by saying, “The truth is that Rudiger has shown a very good attitude.” He was commenting on the contributions that Rudiger has made this term. Tomorrow, we will speak with him. There is no better center back for us than he is.”
The following is what Ancelotti had to say about Bellingham and how well he has acclimated to the team: Additional praise was in store for Bellingham.
The manner in which Bellingham has adjusted to the dressing room has been extremely impressive. Since the ego level of this team is fairly low, entering the changing room is not difficult at all. This is especially true for the new players, who find it much simpler to enter.
I was not there during the Di Stéfano game. I have seen Cruyff and Zidane play, and I believe that I was just as astonished by Bellingham as I was when I became aware of Kaka for the first time. Because he has a great deal of Kaka.
In addition, Ancelotti offered some words of love for Nico Paz, a young player from Castilla who scored his first goal for Real Madrid in his senior season against Napoli for Real Madrid.
“In my opinion, Nico Paz is performing really well overall. He played his part, and I’ve previously said that the younger players who are here with us are prepared to take the field. In spite of the fact that I have to give precedence to the first team, it is to our advantage that they are now with us,” he said.
The future of both him and Kroos
On the other hand, Toni Kroos is one of the Real Madrid players whose contracts are set to expire at the conclusion of the current season. The following is what Ancelotti had to say on the German player’s future with the club:
“Kroos is the one who make the choice on whether or not he will remain. In this place, he is aware of the affection that is shown to him. He is continuing to play like he always has, and he is in a really good mood with all of his teammates.
Ancelotti himself is aware that his contract with the club is about to expire, but he emphasized that he is still in the “honeymoon period” as he made the following remark:
For me, this is a time filled with optimism. I am aware of the fact that I am receiving a great deal of love from everyone, but I must exercise caution since the time will come when things will get challenging or sensitive, and we must be ready for it.
“Yes, I am still in the honeymoon phase here at Real Madrid. Currently, we are experiencing a really happy time, and I am surrounded by a great deal of love.
“We are watching what Endrick is doing,” Ancelotti said, referring to the fact that Real Madrid hopes to acquire Endrick in the near future. Endrick is currently doing really well for Palmeiras. He is making rapid improvement, and we are overjoyed that he will be able to be a part of our team for the next season.
