Carlo Ancelotti urges Real Madrid to press home LaLiga advantage
Madrid take on Sevilla on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti has urged Real Madrid not to “slip up” in Sunday’s LaLiga clash with Sevilla at the Bernabeu.
Victory for Ancelotti’s table-topping side will take them one step closer to reclaiming the league title.
And the manager wants them to bounce back from last week’s 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano.
“LaLiga is in our hands, we can’t slip up so every game is important,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“We need the points to make the most of the advantage we’ve got.
“The team has worked well and we’ve had time to prepare for the match. I hope we can show our best tomorrow. We have built up a lead and we want to make it count.”
Madrid have lost just once in the league this season, against city rivals Atletico in September.
And Ancelotti called on his players not to let their levels drop now.
He added: “The form we have to show against Sevilla is what we’ve been doing all season long.
“We’ll have to be a solid, hungry and motivated unit. Sevilla are a team who will demand the best from us because they’re on a good run in the second half of the season.
“Two weeks ago I said we were moving towards the 80-point mark, which brings us closer to the title. However, that doesn’t mean we’ll win it because we know we need more points than that. But we’re close.”
Sergio Ramos, who spent 16 years at Madrid, will face his former club.
Ancelotti hailed Ramos’ leadership during a glowing career with the LaLiga giants which yielded 22 trophies.
He added: “Ramos comes back tomorrow and the Bernabeu will give him the warmest of welcomes. He deserves it because he’s a club legend. He’s been a wonderful captain, an example, with his immense character and personality.
“I’ve worked with captains like (Paolo) Maldini and (John) Terry too. These guys help create a fantastic atmosphere among the squad.”