Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he will continue to rely upon Xabi Alonso in the centre of midfield, even though the Spain international has still not signed a new contract to extend his time at the Bernabeu.
Alonso, 32, has just six months remaining on his current deal, sparking speculation he will leave on a free transfer in June. The cultured passer has long been linked with a possible return to former club Liverpool, and there has also been talk he could seek a payday in the Middle East if Madrid fail to reach his wage demands.
Madrid president Florentino Perez has regularly stated his confidence that Alonso will stay, but the club’s failure to tie the midfielder down with so little time remaining on his contract is increasingly concerning.
And Ancelotti backed away from his earlier confident rhetoric over Alonso’s future at the club as he admitted: “We don’t have any information about his renewal. But whether he signs or not, he will be our player at least until the summer of 2014 and if he is available, he will play. “I haven’t spoken to him again about his contract – I don’t need to. All the staff would like him to renew because he’s a very important player and one of the best midfielders in the world.”
But the Italian boss refuted suggestions that his team have become over-dependent on Alonso, whose presence in the side always tends to give a much more stable look to centre of the pitch. He added: “We have lots of important players and we’ve got good results despite playing nearly half of the current season without Xabi. But it is true his quality gives more confidence to everyone.”
Without using the exact words, Ancelotti also admitted tonight´s trip to Valencia is a ‘must-win’ game for his team. A series of disappointments have left Los Blancos worryingly adrift in the La Liga title race, and Ancelotti’s men are aiming to banish memories of last weekend’s disappointing 2-2 draw at struggling Osasuna as they travel to the Mestalla. “It’s a very important game at a very important time,” he said. “We want to end the year well, playing quality football and picking up the three points.”
Ancelotti is also wary of the fact that Valencia will be playing their first league game since sacking of manager Miroslav Djukic earlier this week. Former Valencia star Juan Antonio Pizzi, currently in charge of San Lorenzo in Argentina, is the red-hot favourite to be appointed at the Mestalla during the impending Christmas break, but Los Che will be led into tonight’s encounter by caretaker boss Nico Estevez. “We’re going to be playing against a Valencia team that is motivated and focused, because that’s what always happens when the manager changes,” Ancelotti sighed.
Two enforced changes for Madrid tonight are the absence of Gareth Bale, who has been ruled out with a minor calf injury and will be replaced by Angel Di Maria, and the suspension of Pepe. Valencia are missing defender Ricardo Costa.
