The new absence of Benzema, this time due to a blow to the ankle and not due to a muscular problem, brings a Madrid side that has lost its punch and has only scored one goal in its last three games. In his press conference prior to Saturday’s match against Espanyol, Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the absence of the Frenchman against the parakeets, as well as that the center forward will be Rodrygo, a footballer who has already said many times that he prefers to play ten , behind the tip.
Ancelotti is aware of Rodrygo’s preferences, but he is clear about it: “Rodrygo has to play where the team needs him. Sometimes it’s better to put his quality on the outside, other times it’s better between the lines. It depends. He’s very good, that’s what there is and you have to take advantage of it,” he said.
The Madrid coach acknowledged that Benzema’s absence weighs heavily: “It’s inevitable that it will affect us. Last season he scored many goals and he hasn’t reached that level yet. In the second part of this season, Karim has done his thing. And he’s going to be important in what’s left. His absence tomorrow is something that can happen. He’s mentally fine. Like everyone. We think we can still play a lot of cards in the League, the Champions League and the Cup”.
Ancelotti was also asked if the Uruguayan Hispanic squad player Álvaro Rodríguez is ready to start: “Yes. He has no experience, but nobody has it when they start something, but he has the quality to start playing,” he replied.
With the elimination of PSG from the Champions League, rumors have returned in Madrid about the possibility of once again trying to sign Kylian Mbappé, the failed goal of last summer. Ancelotti did not want to enter these rumors: “You can ask me today, in three days or in two months, but I will never answer if I would like Madrid to sign Mbappé,” he said.
The Italian coach does not seem to be too concerned about the criticism that has appeared in recent days: “It’s not that the current situation reminds me of that of 2015 (he was fired after not winning anything in his second season at Madrid). I don’t have to go back that far It happens every year. When there is a moment that is a little more difficult than normal, criticism arrives. Last year after Barcelona, ??before at Everton… It’s my job. I don’t hear the light rain”.
Ancelotti had good words for Espanyol: “It is a team that is fighting for something and has spectacular motivation. I hope it is a solid team, well organized at the back, that leaves few spaces. And they have Joselu, who is very dangerous in the air game”.
