Real Madrid must focus on La Liga now having qualified from their Champions Leaguue group with ease, Carlo Ancelotti has said.
Los Blancos take on Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu later this evening, looking to close the gap on leaders Barcelona and city rivals Atletico de Madrid in the table. With top spot secured and a place in the next round of Europe’s elite club competition, Ancelotti has urged his team to keep their focus and continue their winning run.
Since the 2-1 reverse to Barcelona at the end of October, Real have scored 25 goals in just six games. Today they will be with the injured Cristiano Ronaldo again, but the Italian boss says there is enough firepower in the squad to get the goals needed to secure the three points.
At the press conference ahead of the game, he stated: “Football is a little special, and when you have a bad game it can help you advance. We are now in good form, but we need to stay focussed, with the right attitude against Valladolid, so as to avoid problems. The team is in good form, and we must continue along this path.
“I am happy with our play, the atmosphere, and that all the players are motivated. I think it is important to continue in this manner because we are in good form.”
Ancelotti also spoke of the the situation at the top of the league and whether Madrid could cut the gap on the Catalan giants. “We must only concentrate on our work and not on the problems of others. Barcelona has won 13 of its 14 league games, and I don’t think it has such a big problem. They didn’t play well in their game against Ajax, but it happens now and again. You can’t always be in ideal condition,” he said.
