Ancelotti warns Madrid as LaLiga race intensifies
Carlo Ancelotti warned Real Madrid that it faces a fight to reclaim top spot in LaLiga, with neighbour Rayo Vallecano next up on the fixtures card.
Madrid currently sits third in the standings with 54 points, three behind leader Barcelona, which postponed its match against Osasuna after the death of the Blaugrana's club doctor.
Los Blancos has lost two of their past five LaLiga matches, winning only one, as many defeats as in its previous 53 matches in the competition.
Despite Madrid's unbeaten run in the Copa del Rey and a six-match winning streak in the UEFA Champions League, the reigning LaLiga champion's form remains a concern for Ancelotti.
"We are ready to fight for every game and in every competition. I am much calmer for tomorrow's game because we have had five days of rest," he said.
"It will be harder on a physical and mental level, but you have to take that into account. We are very close to a Copa del Rey final, to the top of the table and to the Champions League quarter-final.
"It is not the ideal situation because that would be to be the leader of LaLiga, but we are ready to fight."
Madrid slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis last weekend, meaning it has conceded 25 goals after 26 games in LaLiga this season, its worst tally at this stage of the competition since 2018-2019, when it finished third.
Ancelotti gave a scathing assessment of the loss but praised his players for their efforts as well.
"I was disappointed with the game against Betis because I didn't expect this drop in form, but it was an isolated one," Ancelotti said.
"Players don't choose their games, but sometimes they are very tired, and you can't be at 100% in every game. It was a good dynamic but we reacted well. Hopefully, we can get back to the good form we had before Betis."
Ancelotti said midfielder Luka Modric will be available against Vallecano and in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 return leg at Atletico Madrid and the team has had ample recovery time after the 2-1 first-leg victory over Atleti.
While Madrid will be fresh as its bid to close the gap at the top of LaLiga, Rayo, which is seventh with 36 points, will be determined to snap a three-match winless run in the league.
"They are doing very well; they are a brave and well-organised team. They are going to demand a lot from us, and we have to be ready. The match is vital," Ancelotti added.
