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-game unbeaten run – a streak that includes an Intercontinental Cup success over Pachuca in Qatar.
On the trip to the Mestalla, Madrid will play against Valencia for the first time under the leadership of new coach Carlos Corberan.
Corberan was appointed on Christmas Eve with the task of pulling the club out of the relegation zone.
His previous role was with Championship side West Brom and Ancelotti has been studying the Baggies to see if he can get any clues as to how Valencia might line up.
He said: “We checked how his strategy worked at West Brom. And then you have to see how it can be adapted to the characteristics [Valencia] players.
“Valencia, by the way she played under [previous boss Ruben] Baraja was a team that was getting closer. We evaluated both things.”
🆙 @vinijr 🆙#RMCity pic.twitter.com/0yslVNYSis
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) January 2, 2025
Ancelotti is wary of rejecting a new coach
Mestalla can be a hostile stadium and Ancelotti does not expect an easy game despite Valencia’s low position.
“They are a team that has changed their coach and that can give the players additional motivation,” he added. “For me, Baraja did a fantastic job, but this happens in football. We expect a demanding match. We have to concentrate on the game and nothing else.
“We want to start the year well. It’s a very important game. The team is fine, the days off went well. Everyone came back motivated and in great shape.”
No TTA updates
The January window is now open and Madrid are reportedly considering a second bid for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Premier League leaders rejected the initial offer.
Ancelotti was asked about the club’s plans this month, but he played it typically nonchalant.
He said: “Talking about this is a bit more complicated. We’ll see.
“The only thing I can say is that we have a lot of games in January and we are focused on that. It’s not easy for me to talk about the market at the moment.”
The trip to Valencia has been moved to tomorrow night after the original schedule was postponed due to the devastating floods that hit the region in October.
Madrid is second in La Liga, but a win will move them two points ahead of Atletico.
