Carlo Ancelotti has said his Real Madrid players are only focused on the game with Valencia and not on the Champions League final later this month.
Los Blancos know the La Liga battle is one that is out of their hands as they need Atletico de Madrid to slip up. And with just six points needed to secure the title, it looks like the trophy will be heading to the Vicente Calderon this season.
But speaking at his press conference ahead of their match with Valencia, Ancelotti said he still holds the hope Real can win the title, and added his players will be fighting for it until it is no longer possible to win.
“We’re not thinking about preparations for the Champions League. We’re thinking about Valencia and we’re going to fight to the end for the Liga. We know what happened to Valencia, I feel for them because losing at the end like that isn’t easy,” he stated.
And he added: “We’re going to prepare as well as possible. They’re a good team, with quality and good football. We have to be very careful, it won’t be an easy match and we need to win. It’s very important that we maintain this intensity to the end.”
Ahead of the Champions League final, the Italian confirmed he would rotate his goalkeepers to give Iker Casillas game time.
“I’ve decided what I’m going to do with the goalkeepers. Diego will play tomorrow, Iker on Wednesday. Then Diego will return against Celta and Iker will play against Espanyol. I’ve spoken to them and they’re both happy with it. Casillas needs to play this month. It didn’t seem right leaving him out for a month to prepare for the final,” Ancelotti commented.
