Ancelotti expects thrilling LaLiga title race
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he does not believe that there will be a runaway winner of LaLiga like last season when his club won the league by 10 points.
Barcelona had been leading the pack since August this season, although a run of one victory in seven league matches has seen it slip to third, having lost top spot to Atletico Madrid in a 2-1 home defeat last month.
Reigning champion Real Madrid, meanwhile, trails Atleti by a point, having picked up 40 from 18 matches. But it could take top spot provisionally when it travels to second-bottom Valencia on Saturday.
"The level of competitiveness in LaLiga lowers a bit the points you need to win the title," Ancelotti said. "The fact that Atletico are there also generates uncertainty and I think it will take less than 90 points to be champions."
Ancelotti is also expectant of Barcelona making a strong comeback, despite its loss of form.
"You have a slump and then you get competitive like before. Barcelona and Atletico have the same chances of competing with us," he said.
The Italian has led Real Madrid to two league titles since coming back to the club in 2021, but acknowledged that he did not think it would be an easy three points against struggling Valencia.
"Tomorrow we start a new challenge, with a lot of excitement. It will be a demanding game... we want to start the year well," he said.
