Carlo Ancelotti is confident his Real Madrid team are ready for the fight as they approach the final stretch of the season.
The Spanish giants are still battling on three fronts as they bid to retain their LaLiga and Champions League crowns and land the Copa del Rey.
It has been a draining week, with last Saturday’s unexpected LaLiga loss at Real Betis followed by a hard-fought victory over rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Despite that, manager Ancelotti expects his players to be ready for the challenge as they host European-chasing neighbours Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday.
Ancelotti told reporters at a press conference: “We are ready to fight in all the games in all the competitions, taking into account all the wear and tear we have.
“Now we have had five days of rest, but before the game against Betis we had returned on Thursday at 3am. On a physical and mental level that is going to cost a lot. We should take it into account.
“We are not in an ideal situation but we are close to the final of the cup, the league leaders and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.”
Real are in a tight three-way battle for LaLiga with Barcelona and Atletico, while their midweek success edged them closer to a place in the last eight of the Champions League.
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They face Real Sociedad in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey next month.
Key to their hopes is the form of their formidable attacking quartet of Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
Ancelotti is pleased with how at least one of them usually stands up to deliver.
He said: “I do not have to take stock of what the players do in each game.
“Sometimes Rodrygo stands out more, others Vini, Bellingham or Mbappe.
“It is important that all the team works well offensively and defensively. There are no jealousies.
“If Rodrygo stands out more, the others are happy. That is very important.”
Ancelotti is sure the result at Betis, when Real were beaten 2-1 to slip to third, was a blip.
The veteran Italian coach said: “I was disappointed. We were in a good moment and I did not expect this slump.
“Fortunately, I believe it was an isolated slump. In such a demanding season you cannot always be 100 per cent.”
Defender Antonio Rudiger is a doubt for Sunday’s game after missing training with flu.
