Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is expecting one of his team’s toughest remaining challenges as they attempt to restore their four-point advantage at the top of La Liga at home to Villarreal tonight.

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The Yellow Submarine are enjoying an excellent season, mounting a challenge for the top four as well as progressing to the last sixteen of the Europa League and the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Ancelotti was full of praise for tonight’s visitors, saying: “Villarreal are a team with a lot of quality.

“They play very good football, they are well organised and have good players. They’ve already beaten Atletico and they are a top side. It will be an intense game and we’ll have to fight.”

 

However, the Italian coach is also backing his own players to do themselves justice after three straight victories without conceding a goal, and believes they are well placed to maintain their challenge in both La Liga and the Champions League.

“We have reached the most important stage of the season in good physical and mental shape”, he asserted, also insisting that he will not rest key players in the run-up to the Clasico trip to Barcelona later in the month.

“We haven’t played a lot of games lately so the players are fresh and training well, and our aim is to put out the strongest team possible for each match.”

One player singled out for particular praise by the Madrid boss was mercurial midfielder Isco, who started the season on the bench but has made himself a key member of the starting eleven during Luka Modric’s absence through injury.

“If Isco continues like this, his place will become undisputable,” enthused Ancelotti. “Whenever he is fit, he will play.”

Another attractive game in La Liga today sees third-placed Atletico Madrid travel to fifth-placed Sevilla, with Diego Simeone’s men attempting to maintain their three point cushion over Valencia, who are in action for the early kick-off at home to Real Sociedad.

Atletico’s chances of retaining the title they claimed last season now look decidedly slim, but they are also anxious to avoid getting dragged into a battle for the all-important top four.

And manager Simeone said: “We’ve had a good season so far but the remaining weeks will determine whether it is successful. “This is an important game and Sevilla are a team which tries to play in your half of the pitch.”