BERGAMO.- The Italian coach of real Madrid, Carlo Ancelottiacknowledged this Monday that it is difficult for his team to finish the league Champions League among the top eight places, which give the direct ticket to the round of 16.
“It will be difficult to reach the first eight. We will have to do a ‘playoff’ round, unfortunately it is like that, but tomorrow (Tuesday) it is only three points,” declared Ancelotti in a press conference prior to the match against Atalanta in Bergamo, corresponding to the 6th day of the Champions League.
“I fully trust my players. Things have improved lately and will improve even more. The goal is to finish the year in the best way. Tomorrow could be the most complicated game of this last cycle in 2024,” the coach continued.
Regarding his attacker Kylian Mbappé, he said that he is improving: “What I have contributed has only been to give him the confidence that a player needs. In the last two games he has done well, he is beginning to have a good dynamic. Tomorrow could be his game , it could be very important for us,” he said.
Ancelotti indicated that he will evaluate the condition of the Brazilians Vinicius and Rodrygo, while he indicated that the Englishman Jude Bellingham is fine.
Valverde’s words
For his part, Uruguayan Federico Valverde admitted that the team does not like to find itself at the bottom of the table.
“Seeing ourselves in 24th place is screwed. We are not used to it. We are always used to being at the top and having more peace of mind, but hey this is part of football and it is part of the process. We have to remain focused on what we are doing,” he added.
Valverde stressed that it is the coach who has to make the lineup.
“We have to give our best in every game and contribute everything we know. As a midfielder I like to play with forwards who carry the ball forward and to whom I can provide assists,” he remarked.
