Carlo Ancelotti has urged his side to put any thoughts of the Juventus game out of their minds and focus only on getting the job done against Valencia.
Los Blancos still have their hopes set on catching Barcelona in La Liga, and will likely start the game against Los Che five points behind the leaders, who face Real Sociedad at home a couple of hours earlier.
Three points is a must for Ancelotti’s men, and he told his press conference on Friday that the players must play with intensity against a team brimming with confidence and high on quality.
“We must play with a lot of intensity against a side who are on a very good run, confident and fighting for a Champions League spot. We are not thinking about Juve, we are going to put our best side out against Valencia,” the boss said.
He was also asked about team news and gave an update on Gareth Bale – who has been heavily criticised this week – and Karim Benzema, who is making his way back from injury.
On Bale, Ancelotti said: “I don’t read statistics because they don’t give me a great idea of how the game went. His game in Turin was like Madrid’s game. I don’t need to talk to him. He will be playing well again soon, like Real Madrid.”
And on the French forward, he added: “He is available. He still isn’t 100%, but we have good feelings about him and he is in tomorrow’s squad. It is to be decided is he will start or come on later.”
