Carlo Ancelotti Urges Real Madrid to Repeat Manchester City Performance

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has called on his team to replicate their performance against Manchester City when they face Girona in LaLiga on Sunday.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has issued a warning to his team, stating that they cannot afford to drop more points in the LaLiga title race. Following a string of disappointing results, including three consecutive winless games, Ancelotti emphasized the importance of regaining momentum. “It's a crucial moment in the season and we have to repeat our good performance against City (on Sunday).”

The Italian manager's concerns are justified, as Barcelona has taken advantage of Real Madrid's slip-ups to move top of the LaLiga table on goal difference. Atletico Madrid is also lurking close behind, just one point adrift in third place. With the title race heating up, Ancelotti is urging his players to raise their intensity and consistency.

Ancelotti specifically referenced Real Madrid's impressive performance against Manchester City in the Champions League playoffs, which saw them advance to the next stage. He is now calling on his team to replicate that level of intensity and focus in their upcoming LaLiga matches, starting with Sunday's encounter against Girona. “We can't afford to make more mistakes, the league is very competitive and every game is vital to get strong to the end of the competition,” Ancelotti emphasized.

Carlo Ancelotti has urged his Real Madrid players to replicate the intensity they displayed against Manchester City in the Champions League playoffs when they face Girona on Sunday. The Italian manager emphasized the importance of consistency, particularly in a competitive league like LaLiga. “It's a crucial moment in the season and we have to repeat our good performance against City (on Sunday). We can't afford to make more mistakes, the league is very competitive and every game is vital to get strong to the end of the competition,” Ancelotti told a press conference.

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Ancelotti acknowledged that his team has experienced some bad luck, but he is confident that their performances will eventually yield positive results. He pointed to their display against Manchester City as a prime example of this. “It's true we've been a bit unlucky and I think we have played quite well against City, so we have to continue in this vein, because if you play well and have a good attitude, the result will reward you,” Ancelotti explained. He also highlighted the competitiveness of LaLiga, where three top teams are separated by just one point. “That is key in a competitive league like here in Spain that is very difficult to win. There are three teams within one point and they are teams of a very high level. I believe this year the title will be decided in the last game.”

Real Madrid will be without England midfielder Jude Bellingham for their match against Girona, as he serves a two-match suspension for directing foul language at the referee during their 1-1 draw with Osasuna. Meanwhile, Ancelotti is looking forward to the Champions League round of 16 tie against city rivals Atletico Madrid. He expects a closely contested and entertaining matchup between two teams of similar quality. “Facing them will be difficult, as always. But I think it is going to be a nice, entertaining and balanced tie. The quality of the two teams is similar,” Ancelotti said.