Carlo Ancelotti hailed Federico Valverde as a key man after his 93rd-minute winner gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Los Blancos
looked sluggish in the first half but struck again in the second half, with Vinicius Junior particularly outstanding, with a shot ruled out for offside by VAR, before Valverde struck powerfully in stoppage time. The result leaves Madrid
four points behind Barcelona in La Liga and Ancelotti will be hoping his side can rebuild their confidence after their Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal.
“Federico is very important. The team played well. We were a bit slow in the first half but much better in the second half. We needed the win, we wanted to respond after being eliminated. เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย “The team did it and Fede is really key,” Ancelotti said
. Vinicius, who has been jeered by the fans in recent times because of his poor form, returned to shine in this game.
“Vinicius is a very special player. He has a great attitude, scored one goal (but it was disallowed), made some good passes to Bellingham. He still has the same influence in the game.” Vinicius
‘ 80th-minute strike was ruled out by substitute Endrick being offside.
“It has not been a good time for Vinicius or for us, but I liked how he reacted on the pitch. He will have a big role in the remaining games.”
Madrid travel to Getafe on Wednesday night before playing in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona next Saturday.
In the last game, Ancelotti chose Jude Bellingham to start as a false nine in place of the suspended Mbappe who had a minor ankle injury, a role he used to great effect last season.
“It’s a position that gave us an advantage last season. Jude played really well in the second half. We played a lot on the flanks, crossed into the middle and he found great spaces in the box. He deserved to have scored,” Ancelotti concluded.