Real Madrid vs Villarreal preview - Carlo not taking Villarreal lightly

Posted Saturday, February 28, 2015 by PA

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti claims his side are in good shape both mentally and physically as they prepare to face "top side" Villarreal.

The capital club lead the Primera Division table with 14 matches remaining, with a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Atletico Madrid the only blemish in their last eight matches.

Away wins at Schalke in the Champions League and Elche in the league last Sunday mean Los Blancos head into the game at the Bernabeu in good spirits.

"We have reached the most important stage of the season in good physical and mental shape," Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference.

"They are a team with a lot of quality, they play very good football, they are well organised and have good players.

"They've already beaten Atletico and played well against Barcelona. They are a top La Liga side. We need our strongest team out there and to play as best as we can in order to win.

"When a team have a style and an attitude like theirs, it means the manager is doing a good job. I like Marcelino a lot, because of the way he conducts himself and speaks.

"They'll put out a fresh starting line-up against us, so it will be a very intense game and we'll have to fight even harder. The fact that he's changing a lot of players doesn't necessarily spell good news for us."

What has pleased Ancelotti is the form of Gareth Bale.

"Bale has shown a great attitude in the last few games, fighting, winning and working for the team, just like all the players," the Italian added. "He is going to continue working like that. We need Bale to always have that positive attitude."

Luka Modric is back in training after recovering from a thigh injury he picked up in November, but will not be risked for the game, with the Croatian likely to feature against Schalke.

Villarreal are sixth and within touching distance of fourth-placed Valencia, who occupy the final Champions League place.

Three successive wins from the Yellow Submarine were a welcome boost after a surprise defeat at the hands of Rayo Vallecano.

"We are in a good moment," goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said. "We go to the Bernabeu with great enthusiasm."