Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of the crucial match against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. He was asked about all the controversy about the referees over the week, to which he said: “I wouldn’t like to touch on this subject before such an important match. Tebas can rest easy, nobody here has lost their mind. All that has been asked for is an explanation. Changing a system that, from what I hear, nobody is happy with. They say that the system favours Madrid, but when Madrid wants to change it, they reject it.”
Ancelotti on the upcoming derby
“It’s a very important match for both teams. The derby is always special, against a very tough opponent. It will be close, hard fought. Nothing new. They have enough quality to fight for the league.
“It will be a difficult, complicated match. But these are the matches you like to be in. There will be a lot of pressure, but it will be a great show. We are talking about a very competitive, hard-fought match. These are nights to enjoy and then… enjoy or suffer.”
Ancelotti on whether they have received the audios
“No, not yet. And I don’t know why they don’t want to give them. We just asked for the audios, nothing more. A move. Not that they reveal a huge secret. We just want to know what happened, there is nothing perverse about it.”
Ancelotti on whether the atmosphere has been heated all week
“Your question has thrown me off, because when you talk to me about social networks, I am from the old generation. Of the pen. The networks, sometimes, bring out arguments, debates… with little sense. Because, in my personal opinion, it is invisible. If Fernando Burgos criticizes me, it is him. But social networks are invisible people, whom I do not know. And I prefer not to know. I want to put a face to whoever criticizes me.”
Ancelotti on the commitment of the team
“There were doubts about the line-up, Lucas and Camavinga, but they have been resolved today. They are available. I will put a starting eleven that can give us quality and commitment, those are the keys to success. Combine them. This year we may have had more quality than commitment. We are working to match that.”
Ancelotti on the defense
“That aspect gives you a solidity that, if you have it, means that even if those up front don’t score, you can still get the most out of it. The four up front have scored around 60 goals, a lot in one season. Obviously, defensive solidity is not only the effort of those at the back, but a collective effort. Those up front must also help.”
Ancelotti on not winning against the big teams
“We need three points, nothing more. We don’t think beyond that. We haven’t played our best against strong opponents in some cases, but tomorrow we have to win.”
Ancelotti on one of the quartet being benched
“I don’t know. Sometimes there has been a lack of balance, that’s true. And some people might think that by removing one player from the top, the problem would be solved. But that’s not the case. The defensive problem is everyone’s problem, including the forwards. It’s a collective problem. And many people forget that we’ve lost key players, like Carvajal or Militao. And, despite that, we’re fighting in all competitions. Rüdiger and Alaba will be back soon, but let no one forget that we’ve lost very important defenders in this part of the season. Hopefully we can get back to normal soon, because I’d like Tchouameni to be a pivot again, Alaba a centre-back, Carvajal a winger… but we’re dealing with an emergency. And, as I said, not everything is fixed, but we’ve gotten some results.”
Ancelotti on Mbappe
“I have said it many times: he has arrived with humility, very well, without demands. He has needed time, but he has adapted very well to the team, as the team has to him. The data is there, we cannot ask for more from him. We are very happy.”
Ancelotti on Valverde’s limits
“We are worried about players getting injured, of course, but Fede, besides always wanting to play, is now indispensable due to the absences we have. Because he can be a pivot or a right back, giving Lucas a rest, for example, who had a small problem.”
Ancelotti on Ceballos
“He has taken on a greater role, because he is always present, in attack and defence. He has improved his physical condition and that is important. Managing playing time is something he does very well.”
Ancelotti on Rodrygo
“He is playing a very important role in the team. And he will. He has enormous quality, like many others. I don’t think that to find balance he needs to take out forwards, I don’t have that opinion.”