Ancelotti looks to returnees as Real Madrid face Levante

Madrid, March 14:  Real Madrid will look to returnees Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos to give them a lift and clear the storm clouds hanging over them when they entertain Levante UD in a La Liga match at the Santiago Berbeu Stadium on Sunday.

It has been a difficult week for Real in the wake of their away defeat against Athletic Club Bilbao in the league. They also lost 3-4 at home against FC Schalke 04 in a Champions League match. Their 2-0 away win against the German side ensured their entry into the quarterfils on aggregate score 5-4.

Players such as Gareth Bale, Iker Casillas and Sami Khedira were singled out for criticism along with coach Carlo Ancelotti by the fans and the press following the losses.

Club President Florentino Perez even had to make a public appearance to dispel rumours that Ancelotti's job would be on the line should they lose to FC Barcelo next weekend.

It is that game in the Camp Nou Stadium, a game which could well decide the outcome in the league title which casts a shadow over Sunday's meeting.

Depending on Barcelo's result away to SD Eibar on Sunday, Real could kick off four points behind their rivals. Fail to win against Levante and lose in the Camp Nou and Barcelo would start to disappear into the distance.

For that reason alone Ancelotti will look to Croatia's Modric, who returned after for half an hour on Tuesday after three and a half months on the sidelines, to lead the midfield. He is expected to take some of the weight of Tony Kroos, who is paying the price for playing around 3,500 minutes football already this season.

Likewise, defender Sergio Ramos will be back in the squad, if not the side after six weeks on the sidelines and Real fans will hope he gets game time to get him back to his best before facing the triple threat of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Leo Messi. IANS