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Ancelotti said January was proving tough for his team and they had to survive it before picking themselves up later on.
With Ancelotti's side looking defensively vulnerable, Athletic will view this match as an opportunity -- although Madrid's cup comeback is a warning they can never be counted out.
Madrid have been hamstrung recently by David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni's injuries, meaning Toni Kroos has been forced to play as the deepest midfielder.
However they produced a sensational comeback from two go 世界杯竞猜下注app als down to beat Villarreal in the Spanish Cup on Thursday night, which should boost their morale.
Madrid's defence has been leaky, conceding eight goals in their last four games.
Rayo Vallecano's strong campaign to date is partly down to the spectacular form of winger Izi Palazon. With three goals and two assists in his last seven league matches, the Spanish forward has been key for the Madrid side, and if they are to get a result against high-flying Real Sociedad, Palazon will be crucial. - AFP
Despite Madrid's form, Ancelotti was positive about the club's direction, saying they are starting a new era, rather than ending an old one.
“We've had injuries that affected us a bit more and it was not foreseeable,“ said Ancelotti.
Despite a dip in form which has seen Los Leones win just one of their last five league games, Athletic sit eighth and just two points behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid.
Former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde will be looking to do his old side a favour at the San Mames, just as Villarreal's Quique Setien did earlier in January.
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German international centre-back Antonio Rudiger has endured a r 世界杯下注app ough ride since joining from Chelsea in the summer, and the defence has not looked close to its best all season.
Athletic lost at local rivals Real Sociedad in the Basque derby last weekend so bouncing back against Madrid would be the perfect response.
“They all talk about (Luka) Modric, Kroos, (Karim) Benzema, but we must also talk about the youngsters. Vinicius, (Eduardo) Camavinga, Rodrygo, (Fede) Valverde, (Eder) Militao, Tchouameni and players who are going to join in the future.
“We have conceded six goals (in three games) and five of them could have been avoided with a little more defensive caution,“ Ancelotti told reporters on Wednesday, before the Villarreal c 世界杯游戏下注app up clash.
The champions trail Barcelona by three points at the top of the table and were soundly beaten by their rivals in the Spanish Super Cup final last week.
BARCELONA: Carlo Ancelotti is hoping Real Madrid's post-World Cup slump is over ahead of the clash with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in La Liga.
Only goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been playing well, despite being able to keep just three clean sheets in La Liga from 16 matches.
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Player to watch: Izi Palazon
“Not being at our best is normal, we have to bear out this month.”
In La Liga, Madrid have let in 16 goals, 10 more than leaders Barcelona.
“We've got a young team,“ said the Italian coach.
“I think this is the beginning of a new era. The players who have defined an era at this club are coming to the end of their careers, but there are others coming in.” |
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发表于 2023-1-22 01:29:42
发表于 2023-1-25 19:49:21