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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that he saw an extremely motivated Gareth Bale on the pitch during his side’s 2-0 win over Levante on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Welshman scored both the goals in the 18th and the 40th minute respectively, to propel his team to a much-needed win, following successive defeats to Schalke in the Champions League and Athletic Bilbao in the league.
The Italian also felt that the presence of Croatian midfielder and former teammate of Bale at Tottenham Hotspur, Luka Modric, at the Bernabeu, has certainly had a positive impact on the forward and added that there was definitely greater comfort level when the forward played Modric.
"I saw Bale more motivated, like the team, today. We have all tried to do what we needed to do.”
“I believe Modric has a positive influence [on Bale]. It gives him more chances to get into the game, they know each other very well, played together at Tottenham. For sure he is more comfortable with Modric,” Ancelotti said.
Ronaldo played a crucial role in setting up both goals: Ancelotti
The former Chelsea boss also brushed away all talk of Cristiano Ronaldo being unhappy at not being able to get on the scoresheet himself and instead lauded him for playing a key role in setting up both goals.
“Cristiano was involved, as the first goal came from a shot he did which was saved on the line.Then Bale scored. The second the same. Cristiano did not score, but he was involved in the game. He was decisive in Gareth's two goals,” he said.
Will have to maintain good intensity levels throughout the game: Ancelotti
The 55-year-old further said that while the Los Blancos played with high intensity in the first 45 minutes of the game, they certainly didn't quite replicate that in the second half and felt that the team will need to be on the dot for the entire duration of 90 minutes on Sunday, if they are to beat rivals Barcelona in the ‘El Clasico’ at the Nou Camp,
“The first half was good, we played well, with good intensity and good quality," he said. "We had good control of the game, lots of chances. A bit less in the second half, we were more relaxed, played too many sideways balls.”
“We did well for one-half today, we need to do well in the whole game on Sunday. It will be a different game. We need to be at our best, then we can win,” the former AC Milan manager said.
Talking about that fixture, Ancelotti said that there shouldn't any major surprises, as far as the team is concerned, and added that they were going to the Nou Camp with almost a full squad at their disposal.
“We go to the Camp Nou with almost all the squad available. It is not too difficult, there will be no surprises, unless I go crazy. I have a doubt in goals. We have the possibility to train all week and prepare well for the game, physically and tactically. Of course that gives us an advantage, but Barca are also used to playing every three days, without a problem,” he said.
