:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/39042332/454434428.0.jpg)
After signing his contract extension yesterday, we will likely see Varane as a starter tomorrow, since Pepe is not available for the game against Deportivo:
Pepe will not be able to play tomorrow. He is suffering from muscular fatigue.
As he said after the games against Atlético and FC Basel, Real Madrid have certain problems to solve, but he is not particularly worried:
We need to display a more regular performance during the full games, but I don't think the physical condition of our players is the cause of our worse second halves. Some players are at a great level, like Kroos or Benzema. Others, like Bale or Modric, need to improve their physical condition a little, but we will get through this.
We are not worried about our distance to FC Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid right now. We just need to improve our game and our physical condition and good results will come.
There were also comments regarding the roster composition. Ancelotti confirmed he is happy with his midfielders:
We have had a complicated pre-season, with players that arrived too late, but this was good because we were able to see that Isco and Illarra are great, like some players from the youth teams. We have plenty of good midfielders and they will all be important. We have a big number of games until October 5th, so we will likely rotate a little.
Chicharito was a good signing, and he is already helping us. He will start from the bench tomorrow.