Spanish club Real Madrid will certainly have to put on their A game to defeat the Shakhtar Donetsk, coach Ancelotti said on Tuesday as he prepares his team for the Champions League Group F face-off between the two sides after a draw in the previous game.
“We want to improve and show another attitude, another identity considering that we are going to play against a dangerous team that started the group very well, I think it is clear that we did not play our best game on Sunday. We all know that it is a very important game to get to nine points and we are well prepared for it.” the Italian said in a press conference.
“When Karim plays a game in which he doesn’t show the level that is expected from him, there will be criticism. That’s normal, but it doesn’t affect us,” Ancelotti said backing up Benzema.
Ancelotti has stressed on his boys that they need to pull up their socks at home on Wednesday against a Shakhtar side who are unbeaten in their two Champions League games as of now, the second being a 4-1 thrashing of RB Leipzig.
However, Ancelotti faced selection dilemma’s as he was not sure if Luka Modric would be fit to play. Although, he expected goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to be back from injury in time for the Clasico against archrivals Barcelona in their game on October 16.
