Carlo Ancelotti has denied that Saturday's clash between Real Madrid and Girona in the first division will decide which team will win the LaLiga title, but said Madrid will have to give their best against a team that “has done better.” that nobody” this station.
Madrid head into the high-profile match at the Santiago Bernabéu top of the table with 58 points, but just two ahead of Girona after a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid in last weekend's derby .
– Stream LIVE: Real Madrid vs Girona, Saturday 10/2, at 12:30 pm ET on ESPN+ (USA)
“Obviously, if we win tomorrow, we will have the advantage,” Ancelotti said at a news conference on Friday.
“But the season is still very long. We are well positioned and so is Girona. Tomorrow's game will not decide anything. The League will not be decided tomorrow, no matter what happens.”
“We have high point totals, us and Girona. The sooner you get to 80 points, the closer you will be to winning.” [the league]. “You haven't won the league if you reach 80 points but you are very close.”
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger faces a last-minute pre-match physical after he was injured against Getafe last week.
With fellow centre-back Nacho Fernandez also out with a muscle strain, Ancelotti said Madrid's centre-back pairing would be Dani Carvajal and Aurélien Tchouaméni, out of position, if Rudiger is not fit.
“Rudiger trained today for the first time and felt good,” Ancelotti said.
“Tomorrow we have time for another test. If he feels good and at his best he will play, and if not, we will not risk it. It is a part of the body where there is not much risk.” , but it depends on how the player feels.”
Ancelotti confirmed that Vinícius Júnior, who left the starting eleven against Atlético de Madrid due to neck pain, is available to face Girona, while defender Nacho is expected to return in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The experienced Italian coach was asked about blue cards after learning they would be implemented as part of a trial for “sin bins” in top-level football.
“The idea I have in general is to simplify the rules as much as possible,” Ancelotti said.
“I do not know if [blue cards] whether or not to simplify the referee's work. The rules are more complicated every year. “I don't know if a blue card makes the referee's job easier or more difficult.”
Ancelotti was also questioned about Girona left back Miguel Gutiérrez, the Madrid youth player who has been key in the Catalan team's fight for the title. Madrid retained a portion of his rights (and the option to bring him back to the Bernabéu) when he left for Girona in 2022.
“Every player in this situation is evaluated every day, every week,” Ancelotti said.
“Miguel has progressed a lot. This experience with Girona has been good for him, he is playing well and in the summer we will make a decision together with Girona and the player.”
