Carlo Ancelotti labels Real Madrid star ‘untouchable’ after mistake vs Athletic Club

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti was quick to throw his backing behind Federico Valverde, on the back of the club’s meeting with Athletic Club.

This comes after the midfielder was responsible for a rare, and altogether costly mistake.

Real of course marked their return to action a short time ago, making the trip to the Basque Country for a La Liga meeting with the aforementioned Athletic.

When all was said and done, Los Blancos were condemned to the wrong side of a 2-1 result, Jude Bellingham’s strike ten minutes from time having proven to be little more than a consolation come the full-time whistle.

As much came after Federico Valverde was responsible for a cosrly, and altogether rare mistake.

Mere minutes after Real Madrid had drawn level, the Uruguayan needlessly attempted to dribble the ball out from a dangerous position deep in his own half.

Valverde, though, had his pocket picked, allowing Gorka Guruzeta to race through and slot the game’s winner beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle at San Mamés, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his engine room standout’s wellbeing was put to boss Carlo Ancelotti.

And, after admitting that both Valverde and Kylian Mbappé – who missed his 2nd penalty in the space of a week this evening – are understandably downtrodden, Real’s headmaster made use of the opportunity to throw his full backing behind the former:

“Fede Valverde? He’s sad, like Mbappé. But Fede is untouchable.”

Conor Laird – GSFN