“This coach is a coward!”, “We are doing him wrong” - Real Madrid fans slam Ancelotti for refusing to name midfielder in line-up to face Villarreal

Real Madrid fans have reacted angrily after Carlo Ancelotti excluded Turkish midfielder Arda Guler from the line-up to face Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday, October 5. The midfielder was impressive at Euro 2024 for his nation but has not had a good run of games for Los Blancos this season, playing just 280 minutes across nine games.

Following the release of Los Blancos' lineup for the clash against Villarreal, fans took to social media platform X to complain about Guler's absence. Here are some of their posts:

"This coach is a coward! Where is Arda????"

Another disgruntled fan took to the platform to post:

"We are doing arda wrong."

Another post read:

"What the hell is wrong with Ancelotti???Play Rodrygo and Güler."

Another fan lamented the inclusion of another Real Madrid star over Guler, posting:

"CamavingASS over Arda again"

Another post demanded the inclusion of the Turkish midfielder, writing:

"Arda has to be in."

Another posted:

"WHERE IS ARDA DUDE."

Another fan questioned the manager's decision, writing:

"Where is guler?"

Guler is present on Los Blancos' bench alongside attackers Rodrygo and Endrick. Ancelotti could turn to the trio if he needs a goal as the game progresses.

---

"It's an opportunity to get back to our best" - Carlo Ancelotti issues rallying call ahead of Real Madrid clash with Villarreal

Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti has issued a rallying call to his team ahead of the side's clash against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spanish giants are fresh off a defeat against LOSC Lille in the UEFA Champions League.

The 15-time European Champions fell to their first competitive defeat of the season against the Ligue 1 side and will be keen to return to winning ways domestically. Speaking ahead of his side's return to La Liga via the club's official site, Carlo Ancelotti said:

“Villarreal are doing very well and they position themselves well on the pitch. They're playing at their best level. It'll be a tough game, but it's an opportunity to get back to our best and try to reconnect and get back to playing good football in front of our fans.”

Ancelotti added:

"You can be brave by pressing high or defending well. Everyone who visits us is brave because they want to pick up points. We have to prepare well for our game. The easiest thing to do, when they press you, is to play the ball long, but we'll try to play the way we know, taking into account the characteristics of the opposition. We have to bring a lot more intensity in the defensive and offensive aspects.”

Real Madrid are unbeaten in the Spanish top flight in over a year and will be keen to return to winning ways in front of their fans. They currently sit three points behind rivals Barcelona in the La Liga table.