Carlo Ancelotti confirms Real Madrid boost for Chelsea clash amid police investigation

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed a key boost for his side in the wake of a controversial incident over weekend.

Ancelotti’s men were defeated 3-2 at home by Villarreal over the weekend, twice taking the lead only to fail to take anything from the La Liga clash. But the game itself soon disappeared from the headlines, with Real Madrid star Fede Valverde getting in trouble shortly after the game.

Valverde has alleged that Villarreal star Alex Baena said something about his famly during a Copa del Rey meeting between the two teams earlier this season, and it’s alleged the Uruguayan waited for Baena in the Santiago Bernabeu car park after the game, punching the midfielder before he climbed aboard the team bus.

Since then, Baena has denied making the comments, and he has pressed charged against Valverde over the alleged assault, with Villarreal also condemning the incident in a club statement. But while Spain’s national police and the country’s football assocition - the RFEF - look into the incident, Valverde is free to continue playing, and Ancelotti has confirmed the Uruguayan is available to face Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Real Madrid boss said in his pre-match press conference: “Federico has extraordinary human qualities. I don’t want to comment on what has happened, but I am sure that tomorrow he will give everything, as always. He will play tomorrow, yes.”

Valverde is a key part of Ancelotti’s plans, able to slot into the midfield or play a more attacking role as part of the front three. Whether he will be distracted by the media circus surrounding the incident in Spain is another question, but he won’t be missing the clash, and as far as sporting sanctions are concerned, he would only be suspended for league football in any case, if the RFEF decide to hand out a ban.