Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has promised his team will perform well against La Liga leaders Barcelona in Sunday's El Clásico, as the defending champions look to close the four-point gap over their arch-rivals.
Defending champions Real Madrid secured a 3-2 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday, keeping their title dream alive with four games remaining in the season.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 15 league matches and beat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time to win the Copa del Rey last week.
"We will prepare well and put in a good fighting performance against Barcelona," Ancelotti said in a press conference after the match. "It won't be decisive, but it's very close."
The coach blamed injury-related absences for Real Madrid's failure to hold on to a 3-0 lead, as Celta Vigo scored twice in seven minutes to put the hosts under pressure.
He added: "We have to take into account the absence of six defenders, and we are not always able to fix these things. Yes, we could have handled it better. We suffered a bit, but it is a beautiful victory."
Ancelotti confirmed that striker Rodrygo, who missed the Celta Vigo match due to a fever, is likely to be fit for the trip to Barcelona, as he has a week to recover.
0 Comentários