Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has backed Gareth Bale and the rest of his side to hit top form again “very soon” as they look to keep from ending the season empty handed.
Bale came in for criticism for his performance in the midweek Uefa Champions League semi-final first leg against Juventus, with match statistics showing the world’s most expensive signing had the fewest touches and made the fewest passes of any Madrid player.
None of the Madrid side covered themselves in glory, though, as the holders were beaten 2-1 in Turin, but Ancelotti has faith it is only a blip for his troops.
“I haven’t read the statistic (about Bale) because it doesn’t give me much of a great idea of how the game was. His game in Turin was like that of Real Madrid,” he said.
“I don’t need to talk with him. He will be back playing well very soon, like Real Madrid.”
Madrid fans will be hoping “very soon” means immediately, because the club’s season could be defined in the next six days as they face fourth-placed Valencia in the Primera Liga before hosting Juve in the return leg of their European semi-final on Wednesday.
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Valencia are arguably the hardest of Madrid’s three remaining league matches and if they can win that — and make it eight league victories on the trot — then they would ramp up the pressure on leaders Barcelona.
Barca are two points clear of Madrid and host mid-table Real Sociedad on Saturday, but in their next fixture the treble-chasing Catalans must go to outgoing champions Atletico Madrid.
That penultimate round of fixtures could end up deciding the title, but it remains to be seen when they will take place with the Spanish football federation suspending all domestic competitions indefinitely from May 16 over a dispute regarding television rights.
Ancelotti said he believes a solution will be found to the TV dispute.
“I honestly think that it’s a matter that will be fixed in the coming days,” he said.
“The parties are going to meet and are going to take the right decisions so that the league finishes on the set date.”
Ancelotti was heavily criticised for Real’s performance against Juventus and for playing centre back Sergio Ramos in midfield where he struggled.
Ancelotti has not ruled out playing Ramos in midfield again against Valencia.
“I have not decided who will play in the middle of the pitch and I will make a decision on the day,” said the Italian coach.
Ancelotti pointed out that Ramos had played their effectively in other matches.
“Ramos has my confidence and he is capable of playing in a lot of different positions. I wasn’t afraid to play him there against Atletico and Sevilla,” the Italian said. “He has played well there but he didn’t do well the other day.
“The team is fine mentally and we are treating the game now against Valencia as a final. After that we will start thinking about the return leg against Juventus, there is no way I will rest anybody.”
Valencia are also under pressure with Sevilla only three points behind in fifth. The Andalusians, who took a huge step towards the Europa League final on Thursday with a 3-0 win over Fiorentina, travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday.
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