Ancelotti: Jese still important to Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti has said Jese still has a bright future at Real Madrid despite his season-ending cruciate ligament injury.

Jese suffered the injury early in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Schalke and Ancelotti confirmed at his post-match Press conference that the young forward would miss the rest of the season.

“We’ve been unlucky with Jese’s injury. We can confirm it’s a cruciate ligament injury and his season is over,” Ancelotti said.

“He had been doing very well for his first season in the first team.

“The same thing happened to me at the same age and I still had a career. I came back.

“Even after this injury I’m sure he will remain important to Madrid. We’ll wait and see but good luck to him.”

Ancelotti added that lengthy injury lay-offs are a part of the game but conceded Madrid will miss Jese for the final third of the season.

“These things happen in football and we have to know how to deal with them,” the Italian said.

“We have to be positive. We’ve lost someone important. He’s given us a lot this season, especially when Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t been available.

“There are things though that can happen in a career.”

Ancelotti was also asked who he wanted Madrid to face in the quarter finals prior to the draw on Friday.

“We’ll see what happens [in the draw],” Ancelotti replied.

“The best teams are in the quarter finals. There’s three Spanish teams there, which is good for Spanish football, but all the opponents there are difficult.”

Madrid’s attention can now turn to Sunday’s Clasico meeting with Barcelona and Ancelotti insisted Ronaldo would be fit for the game despite playing the full 90 minutes against Schalke.

“Cristiano is fine. He recovers well and doesn’t have any problems when he plays,” Ancelotti said of the two-goal forward.

“I had no doubts about playing him and he worked very well. He can always play because he’s so fit.

“We’re coming in to the game in good form and we’re very excited. We are full of confidence and motivation.

“I’m certain we’ll be better than [the first Clasico]. It’s an open game but I don’t think it will decide the League, because there’s still Atletico Madrid, who are very close too.

“La Liga will be decided on the final day.”

Tags Carlo Ancelotti Clasico Cristiano Ronaldo Jese
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