Carlo Ancelotti has talked up Eduardo Camavinga’s progress at Real Madrid and said his makeshift left-back has the “engine of a Ferrari”.

Camavinga has starred on the left side of defence after finding consistent midfield minutes hard to come by, and Ancelotti described the 20-year-old as “extraordinary” after he impressed again at the weekend in a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo.

The versatile youngster has made 49 appearances in all competitions so far this season and while he is carrying a knock ahead of Tuesday’s game against Girona, he has been named in the squad.

Asked about Camavinga’s development, Ancelotti said: “He is taking advantage of the time he has played as a full-back to improve his boundaries.

“He is very young and he has to mature his experience and his tactical knowledge. Technically, he has nothing to learn and, physically, he has the engine of a Ferrari, not like a (Fiat) 500.”

On Camavinga’s fitness, the Italian added: “Camavinga endured the game, but then the knock bothered him.”

Ancelotti will be without Karim Benzema on Tuesday after the veteran forward picked up a niggle of his own, while Eden Hazard misses out through injury, but Rodrygo is available despite a recent issue.

“He has had a small knee problem that he is handling well,” Ancelotti said of Rodrygo. “He is progressing physically. This is Rodrygo, a very fresh player. He is not a typical striker because he doesn’t need a lot of pauses in the games.

“I think Benzema is not an issue. If he has recovered, he will play against Almeria and Real Sociedad. He is too important for us. In the last few games he has shown a very good level. When he is well, he wants to play.”

The Champions League semi-finalists head into Tuesday’s game 11 points behind leaders Barcelona, but Ancelotti believes the table is not an accurate reflection.

“In terms of quality, there is no 11 points difference,” he said. “We’ve shown that in the games we’ve played against each other. The two teams are very evenly matched.”

Guillermo began his career covering Real Madrid and the sports industry for Diario AS. He later moved to London and became their correspondent. He has also previously worked for Cadena SER. He has since returned to Madrid and joins us at The Athletic where he will deliver in-depth Real Madrid analysis, interviews, stories, and more.