Real Must Beat Valladolid to Retain La Liga Hopes, Says Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti insists Real Madrid must beat Real Valladolid on Wednesday to stand a realistic chance of winning the Spanish title this season.

The ‘Los Blancos’, with three games to go have a game in hand on leaders Atletico Madrid, who are currently ahead by five points, but could go second above Barcelona with a win.

“We will lose the league if we don’t beat Valladolid, so we will give our best tomorrow,” Ancelotti said in his pre-match news conference. “It’s fundamental. Tomorrow’s match is a final. It’s a team that fights for survival to stay in the first division.

Real Must Win Valladolid- Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Must Win Valladolid- Carlo Ancelotti.

“Our objective is to win all the three matches. It’s our only option to become champions.”

The Italian boss is in line to inspire his side to a treble in his first season at the Estadio Santiago Bernebeu, having progressed to this month’s Champions League Lisbon final, and after triumphing in last month’s Copa del Rey final at the expense of Barcelona.

The boss added that Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed the 2-1 win at the Mastela, is “in good shape to play”, but Gareth Bale, scorer of the Cup-winning goal, is “doubtful” for the Valladolid game.