‘Has a special talent’ – Ancelotti hails Real Madrid starlet after 4-4 draw vs Villarreal | OneFootball

Real Madrid played out an entertaining 4-4 draw against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica today in their penultimate La Liga fixture of the season.

Arda Guler starred for the newly-crowned champions as he opened the scoring before Joselu doubled their advantage.

Alexander Sorloth pulled a goal back for the Yellow Submarine before Lucas Vazquez made it 3-1 for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Guler then scored another on the cusp of half-time and it appeared that the game was over.

However, Sorloth had other ideas as he scored three goals in the second period to salvage a point for his time.

Speaking after the game, manager Ancelotti had some words of praise for Guler, hailing his ability to score goals, saying:

“I think the closer to goal, the better. He is very effective, he scores a lot with little space, he has a special talent. He shows it better closer to the goal.”

On the game as a whole, the Italian tactician remarked: “It was an entertaining game, with pace, intensity, open, with little balance. What we got out of it is what we had to get out of it, to play with intensity to prepare for the last game of the season.”

“The objective wasn’t the points, we don’t need them. It was to play a good game, with intensity, to avoid problems and injuries. Everything went perfectly,” he added.

Guler scored twice for Real Madrid. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Ancelotti admitted that he was not overly worried about his side conceding four goals tonight, this close to the UCL final, as he said:

“I’m not worried, it was a very open game, with little balance. We played attacking football, maybe we conceded more than we needed to. It doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t have to be like that in the final.

“Up front they played very well and in attack Arda Güler showed something special.”

The manager also spoke in praise of Andriy Lunin, who may have played his final game of the season, with Thibaut Courtois expected to start against Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund.

“I liked him, he couldn’t do anything about the goals, he was good with his feet. He had pace, he played a good game. Obviously, the goals are not his fault,” the manager said.

On the performance of Eder Militao on the night, he added: “We can say that both central defenders have suffered. Militao is getting close to 100%. We have two weeks, he can be at his best for the final.”

Brahim Diaz also enjoyed an impressive outing at La Ceramica, and earned praise from Ancelotti, who said:

“He’s played a very good season, he’s helped the team a lot, above all he’s one of those who has contributed the most of the non-regulars.

“He, Joselu has scored a lot of goals, Arda too…. His season is very good, the dressing room is ready to work well these two weeks and try to win.”

Source: AS