Real Madrid faces Granada this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu (6:30 p.m.) and will be able to count on Jude Bellingham. This was confirmed by Carlo Ancelotti in the press conference prior to the league match: “He can't play tomorrow,” he said about the Englishman who had "a little discomfort" in his left ankle as a result of a fortuitous action last Wednesday in the match. against Naples in the Champions League.
The 20-year-old player did not exercise with the rest of his teammates in the last training session to prepare for the duel against Alexander Medina's team, the new Nasrid coach. 'Carletto' assures that the midfielder "does not have any problem" and that the white club has preferred to "avoid contact so that it does not get worse."
Bellingham, who Ancelotti reminds him of Kaká in some ways, has a streak of 15 goals in 16 games. Something that the Italian coach wanted to refer to in the press conference: "We have never asked him to score goals, but he has that facility. He must continue like this and the time will come to score less. Normal."
The Madrid coach, aware that “delicate moments will come,” does not add the ninth loss to his squad. However, Ancelotti still has a total of eight injured players for this Saturday: Courtois, Kepa, Militao, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Modric, Güler and Vinícius. On the other hand, German center back Antonio Rüdiger aims to start for the clash against Granada.
Ancelotti has stated that the problem of injuries is "general" and has removed responsibilities from the "fantastic" sports planning of the white club. "Injuries are a calendar problem," he stated. "I wanted to see what time they set the game on December 21 and it is at 9:30 p.m. and it is quite cold in Vitoria. "It is what it is," he criticized.
"We have to hold on, but injuries are also opportunities for players who were having fewer minutes," he added on this topic. Nico Paz knows this, after scoring his first goal for Real Madrid this Wednesday. 'Carletto' has acknowledged that “the other day he did very well” and that both he and the youth players Gonzalo, Mario Martín and Theo Zidane also “are prepared to play.”
The Madrid coach has not spoken about his renewal and the rumors that place him as Brazil coach. However, he has made clear the affection he feels right now as coach of Real Madrid, in a "positive moment on a personal level."
"I notice a lot of affection from everyone but I always have to be vigilant in football because the delicate moment is going to arrive and we have to be prepared. We are very good. The relationship is very good, I notice a lot of affection around me and this gives me even more motivation," he clarified.
