Ancelotti insists he retains Real Madrid backing

Carlo Ancelotti insists he retains the backing of everyone at Real Madrid as his future continues to be the subject of speculation.

Ancelotti’s position has been questioned following Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final loss to Arsenal, while they also trail Barcelona by four points at the top of LaLiga.

Last week, multiple reports suggested he could leave Madrid after this weekend’s Copa del Rey final against Barca, while he continues to be linked with the Brazil national team.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso and former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp are among the names that have been touted as possible replacements in recent days.

Asked if he was feeling the pressure, the Italian told reporters: “The club is aware that it has been a more complicated year than last year.

“Together we manage the difficulties. The honeymoon continues. I’m very happy, very happy, with a lot of pressure, but that’s how it always is.

“You see success very close and it’s normal for stress to increase, but stress is fuel for me, it doesn’t bother me, it gives me more energy to think about more things.

“As long as I continue to get up in the morning, everything is fine.”

Before the Copa final, Madrid travel to 12th-placed Getafe for a crucial league meeting on Wednesday, when they will be without Kylian Mbappe and Ferland Mendy.

Mbappe suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 quarter-final second leg loss to Arsenal last week, while defender Mendy is recovering from a hamstring issue.

“They are not ready for tomorrow, but they will train these days and I think they will both be available for Saturday’s game,” Ancelotti said.

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“Tomorrow’s eleven will be decided taking into the wear and tear of Sunday night (a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao) and that alone. Some are still a bit tired, but that’s quite normal. We’ll see tomorrow.

“Getafe play intense football, very well organised and they are very clear. We are ready and prepared, every time the end of the season approaches, the games become more and more important.”