Federico Valverde Admits it’s “difficult” to watch. Real Madrid Struggling in Europe — a situation they are “not used to” — as the Champions League holders prepare to face Atlanta on Tuesday.
Madrid are 24th in the league stage standings, the final qualifying spot for the play-off rounds, after a difficult start to the campaign that has included defeats. Lily, AC Milan And Liverpool.
The results leave the La Liga giants with just six points from five Champions League games ahead of their last three league stage matches with Atalanta. Salzburg And Brest.
“It’s difficult, obviously,” midfielder Valverde said at a news conference in Bergamo on Monday, when asked how it felt to see Madrid finish 24th in the 36-team table. “At this club we are not used to these moments, we are used to being near the top and being more calm in this competition. But it is part of football, part of the process, we have to work hard.”
Madrid have been plagued by injuries at defenders this season. Éder Militão And Dani Carvajal Two significant long-term absentees.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti continued Vinicius Jr And Rodrigo Both will undergo fitness tests in training to determine their inclusion against Atlanta on Monday.
Vinicius suffered a hamstring injury last month, while Rodrigo missed Saturday. 3-0 league win But Girona.
“Vinicius is fine,” Ancelotti said. “We have to figure it out. Today’s training session will be important, and also for Rodrigo. [Jude] Bellingham Well, he’s fully recovered. [from Saturday]. The only two suspects are Vinicius and Rodrigo. They will train and then we will decide.”
Ancelotti praised Bellingham, who has scored five goals in his last five La Liga appearances after failing to find the net in the first three months of the season.
“[Bellingham] Not much has changed,” Ancelotti said. “The shape of the team has changed. We’re playing better up front with more movement, and he’s taking advantage of that. He is scoring again, but his attitude on the pitch has not changed, offensively and defensively he contributes, even if he doesn’t score every game.”
The coach also confirmed this. Andric And Arda Guler Neither will leave Madrid on loan in January, with the two young talents calling for “patience”.