Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano discussion

Carlo Ancelotti appeared before the press the day before the match against Rayo. The Italian coach, who confirmed that “Cristiano Ronaldo will play” despite a niggle, discussed the league match in the Santiago Bernabéu: “We have to realise that Rayo play very well and that it is a very good example of how the small teams try to play good football. That adds value to the quality of La Liga. Tomorrow will be a difficult match because we need to win it, to respond well and also to demonstrate our wont to do things”.

“Each team has its own style of play and I really like Paco's style because it has its own clear identity. At the moment the teams' characteristics are different but our football also has its own clear identity”.

The current situation in La Liga
“We have not lost our hard work in these four days because we have done that well, what we have lost is the fact that the league depended on us. We are still confident because the defeats were not due to a problem in our game. We have conceded six goals and that means that we made mistakes that we have to avoid because now mistakes are expensive. We need to concentrate more”.

“La Liga will be decided on the last matchday. We're behind now, but we'll keep fighting to win the league until the final match. We'll certainly need more than 90 points to do it”.

The possibility of rotations
“Today we had a problem with Modric, who had a temperature last night, later we'll make a decision. Rotations are made if someone is tired. Now the important match is the one against Rayo and then we'll focus on the Champions League”.


“WE NEED TO CONENTRATE MORE ON EVERYTHING”.
“It is clear that we've lost defensive strength. We have conceded six goals in two games. We made small mistakes and they have cost us dearly now. We need to concentrate more on everything. There were problems with positioning, above all for the goals. They were positioning errors not concentration errors”.

Cristiano Ronaldo's niggle
“He has a slight niggle, but it will not affect him at all. He is training normally and treating it. He'll play tomorrow. Today he trained well and he has no problem whatsoever”.

“He doesn't need to rest now because he is handling the problem well. He is confident and does not let these things get him down. If things improve we'll rest him, but now all of us and the player are very relaxed. It is a small problem that will be resolved with treatment”.

Free-kicks and Bale's change of boots
“First is Cristiano Ronaldo and then Bale. When Bale takes a free-kick it means that Cristiano Ronaldo agrees. He couldn't keep on playing with his boots like that and he changed them. He's physically fine and he feels fine”.

Xabi Alonso's fitness
“The last two matches were not great, but he is always an important player. He is comfortable and fit. Perhaps he made mistakes in the last two matches and he will rest when he needs to rest. The two defeats in a row were not due to a fitness issue because we were physically fine throughout”.

Diego López or Casillas
“It's an issue we've spoken about before and the situation's very clear. Diego López is doing well, like Iker when he's played. Tomorrow Diego López will play and Casillas on Wednesday. It is a debate for outsiders, not one for us here”.

Changes in the Sánchez Pizjuán
“The change we made was to add some quality. We bought Isco on just at the right time. Putting Morata on would have meant changing the system too much at that time. With Isco on the field and that change the team would lose more balance”.

Mourinho's statements
“It's his opinion. I think that Real Madrid is fighting for La Liga this season, something it was unable to do last year. Let's just say that”.

Yohan Modric wrote:

Mourinho's statements
“It's his opinion. I think that Real Madrid is fighting for La Liga this season, something it was unable to do last year. Let's just say that”.

Carlo Ancelotti seemed satisfied with his side's performance against Rayo Vallecano. The Madrid coach analysed the game: "Naturally this win is important. Today we reacted well following two losses. We played a great game, with a good attitude on the pitch. This serves to prepare well for the next game. In the last two games we made errors at the back. Today we didn't and we used the counterattack well. The back four were good".

"We have to carry on, it's an important part of the season for all of us. We could be better given we lost twice, but physically we're good. Also we reacted well and we carry on looking forward optimistically. If we win all the games that we have left at least we win the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. We just have to think in ourselves and be positive".

Wins for Atlético and Barcelona
“They could affect us a little bit, it's normal. We must be focused on our game and nothing else. Maybe those who didn't play today were listening to the results, but those who were going to play weren't thinking about other sides".
WE JUST HAVE TO THINK ABOUT OURSELVES AND BE POSITIVE.
“I have always said that sometimes I understand whilstes because they can be deserved. Right now no, the players are putting in a lot of effort. We need the help of everyone. Whilstling Cristiano isn't comprehensible".

"On Wednesday we'll have a great atmosphere at the Bernabéu because everyone is dreaming of the Décima and they know we can win if everyone gets behind the team. Together we can achieve the dream. Diego López is focused on his profession and I don't think critics hurt him".

The fitness of Xabi Alonso and Cristiano Ronaldo
“Xabi seems fine. Di María and Modric's positions require a lot of dynamism, but Xabi plays in a position that we don't need quite as much dynamism, more balance, good positional sense and intelligence. He is very intelligent. Cristiano is fine, he had a bit of pain in his knee, but no more".

Carlo Ancelotti was at a loss to explain why the Santiago Bernabeu crowd whistled Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo against Rayo Vallecano.

Madrid won the game 5-0 but the home crowd wasn’t entirely happy with what they saw. At various points of the game Ancelotti, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Diego Lopez were all targeted, as was the Portuguese.

“I have said many times that I understand the whistles when they’re deserved,” Ancelotti said at his post-match Press conference.

“Currently we’re putting in a great effort and they may be because we haven’t done well in the last two games.

“But we need everyone’s help and whistling Cristiano is not understandable.

“Regarding Diego, he lives focused on his work and I don’t think he’ll be influenced.”