Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has issued a rebuke to predecessor Jose Mourinho after the Chelsea boss claimed he expected the Bernabeu club to be further ahead of Barcelona in the title race.

Mourinho made the jibe in the build-up to last weekend’s Clasico, which Barca won 4-3 to reignite their challenge, and Ancelotti was in no mood to take the criticism lying down as his team prepares for tonight’s home meeting with Rayo Vallecano.

“It’s an opinion,” Ancelotti sniffed. “But this year Madrid is fighting for La Liga, something they weren’t capable of doing last season.”

Ancelotti also played down reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is suffering from a knee injury, although he did admit the Portuguese star is playing through a minor problem.

By his own high standards, Ronaldo performed poorly in the Clasico defeat and Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Sevilla, and Ancelotti said: “He’s got a small problem but it’s not bothering him in games.

“Cristiano trained normally on Friday and he will play on Saturday. We thought about giving him a rest but he doesn’t need it.

“The problem is recovering well and he is feeling confident, but if things get worse we will give him a break.”

Wednesday’s defeat in Seville was followed by heavy criticism for goalkeeper Diego Lopez, who could have done more for both goals he conceded, with Ancelotti again coming under pressure to restore club legend Iker Casillas, who is only being played in cup games under the Italian boss’ goalkeeper rotation policy.

“It’s a topic we have already spoken about and I don’t need to again,” sighed Ancelotti. “The situation is very clear: Diego will play on Saturday and Iker will play on Wednesday [against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League].

“I’m not surprised about the criticism of Diego but he’s doing well. It’s a topic that is debated externally, but not inside our house.”

Tonight’s game is a must-win encounter for Los Blancos as they attempt to bounce back from those damaging consecutive defeats against Barca and Sevilla, and Madrid couldn’t have picked a worse time to face near neighbours Rayo, who have climbed clear of the relegation zone with an impressive run of four wins in five games.

“We know that Rayo will play well,” admitted Ancelotti. “They are a great example of how small teams can play good football. It will be difficult because we have to win.”