Real Madrid’s players work harder for each other when Cristiano Ronaldo is missing, according to boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The Portuguese striker sat out Saturday’s 4-2 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu, serving the first of his three-match ban for a red card received against Athletic Bilbao. Nonetheless, Los Blancos put in a devastating display, with goals from Jese, Gareth Bale, and two from Karim Benzema.
Speaking at his press conference after the match, Ancelotti said he was pleased with what he saw, and noted the work rate of his players increases when Ronaldo is absent.
“Cristiano not being there motivates the others because he is indispensable for us. Without him, the others do more work. The team is doing well, we have to be focused and do things well. All matches are tough and the players have a lot of matches in their legs and it will not always be easy to play well,” he said.
Ancelotti had words of praise for a number of his players, and told reporters he was happy to see Bale score and provide an assist. Questions have been raised in recent weeks about the Welshman’s injury record, and his manager has had to defend him on numerous occasions.
“He had a good match, like everyone did. It was not easy and I understand that after the effort against Atlético Madrid, it wouldn’t be easy. Bale played well and got a goal and an assist,” Ancelotti stated.
