Carlo Ancelotti spent his Christmas studying West Brom videos ahead of Real Madrid’s return to action tomorrow night.
Madrid open 2025 with a trip to Valencia as they look to extend their five-match unbeaten run – a streak that included an Intercontinental Cup success over Pachuca in Qatar.
The trip to the Mestalla will see Madrid face a Valencia side playing for the first time under new coach Carlos Corberan.
Corberan was appointed on Christmas Eve and tasked with dragging the club out of the relegation places.
His previous role was with Championship side West Brom and Ancelotti has been studying the Baggies to see if he can pick up on how Valencia could be set up.
He said: “We looked at how his strategy worked at West Brom. And then you have to see how he can adapt to the characteristics of the players (Valencia).
“Valencia, the way they played under (former coach Ruben) Baraja, were a team that came close. We have evaluated both things.”
🆙 @vinijr 🆙#RMCity pic.twitter.com/0yslVNYSis
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) January 2, 2025
Ancelotti is wary of the new manager’s bounce back
The Mestalla can be a hostile ground and Ancelotti is not expecting an easy game despite Valencia’s lowly position.
“It is a team that has changed coaches and can give extra motivation to the players,” he added. “For me, Baraja has done a fantastic job, but that’s what happens in football. We expect a challenging game. We have to be focused on the game and nothing else.
“We want to start the year well. It is a very important game. The team is fine, the days off have gone well. Everyone came back motivated and in great shape.”
There is no TTA update
Ancelotti was asked about the club’s plans this month but played a typically straight bat.
He said: “Talking about it is a bit more complicated. We’ll see.
“All I can say is that we have a lot of games in January and we are focused on that. Talking about the market is not easy for me right now.”
The trip to Valencia has been rescheduled for tomorrow night after the original match was postponed due to the devastating floods that hit the region in October.
Madrid are second in La Liga but will move two points clear of Atletico with a win.
