Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press on Friday ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Espanyol

Los Blancos need just a point to secure the LaLiga title, and the Italian called on his side to seize their opportunity on Saturday.

Real Madrid have problems in defence

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press on Friday ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga Santander clash with Espanyol. Los Blancos need just a point to secure the LaLiga title, and the Italian called on his side to seize their opportunity on Saturday. “After the match against Manchester City, the players were already thinking about Espanyol,” Ancelotti said. “The great tennis players, when they are on match point, they win it. I hope that we’ll be able to do that tomorrow.” The Italian coach revealed that he has several injury concerns and will have to play a weakened side at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. “We have problems in defence,” Ancelotti noted. “I have to start Jesus Vallejo, who has not played a lot. I have to choose another central defender, and that could be Casemiro. In the midfield, I have options, with fresh players like Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos.”

The team are not thinking about planning to celebrate the title triumph

“Marco Asensio, further forward, is fresh, and we will see if Karim Benzema is fresh tomorrow. I have to prevent anyone who is tired from getting injured.” Asked about how Real Madrid are planning to celebrate the title triumph, Ancelotti said that the club are not yet thinking about it. “We haven’t thought about the celebrations,” he stated. “If we win, we will celebrate as everyone will. But let’s win first.” Marcelo is set to leave the club at the end of the season, and Ancelotti was full of praise for how he has conducted himself this season. “Marcelo has suffered because he hasn’t played a lot, but he is a fantastic professional, and he feels what it means to be captain,” he explained. “He has always been close to the team and has been a perfect captain. Football is like that; when he has played, he has done well.”

“As a person, he also has all my respect. He will be the most decorated player in the history of Real Madrid.”