Carlo Ancelotti spent Christmas studying videos of West Brom's squad ahead of Real Madrid's return to action tomorrow evening.
Real Madrid open 2025 with a trip to Valencia where they will look to continue their unbeaten run to five matches – a run that has included an Intercontinental Cup win over Pachuca in Qatar.
The trip to Mestalla will see Real Madrid take on Valencia, who are playing under new coach Carlos Corberan for the first time.
Corberan was appointed on Christmas Eve and was tasked with getting the club out of the relegation places.
His previous role was with English club West Bromwich, and Ancelotti has been studying the team to see if he can get any clues on how to set up Valencia.
He said: “We looked at how his strategy works at West Brom. And then you have to see how it can be adapted to the characteristics of the (Valencia) players.
He added: “Valencia, by the way they played under (former coach Ruben) Baraja, was a team that was close to winning. We have evaluated both.”
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Ancelotti warned of the new coach's regression
The Mestalla can be a hostile stadium, and Ancelotti is not expecting an easy game despite Valencia's poor position.
He added: “They are a team that has changed the coach and that can give additional motivation to the players.” For me, Baraja did a great job, but that happens in football. We expect a tough match. We have to focus on the match and nothing else.
“We want to start the year well. It's a very important game. The team is fine, the off days went well. Everyone came back motivated and in great shape.”
No TTA update
The January window is now open and Real Madrid are said to be considering making a second bid for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold after seeing the initial bid rejected by the Premier League leaders.
Ancelotti was asked about the club's plans this month but played normally.
“Talking about this is a little more complicated,” he said. We'll see.
“The only thing I can say is that we have a lot of games in January and we are focusing on that. Talking about the market is not easy for me now.”
The trip to Valencia has been re-arranged tomorrow evening after the original fixture was postponed due to devastating floods that hit the area in October.
Real Madrid occupies second place in the Spanish League, but will move two points ahead of Atletico if it wins.
