Real Madrid covers Fede Valverde without fissures and prepares with confidence for the first leg of tomorrow’s Champions League quarterfinals against Chelsea at the Bernabéu. In his previous press conference, Carlo Ancelotti was ironic but also proud to defend his work and the players he leads: “I’m fantastic in management but there are other things: this team has worked well. If we win the Copa del Rey this group will have won all possible titles in two years. There are clubs that haven’t done it in a lifetime”.
In his speech Ancelotti recalled how bad his team had had against Chelsea the previous season. The whites won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea went on to win 3-0 at the Bernabéu and Madrid managed to go into extra time with a goal in the last few minutes: “We saw it very difficult against Chelsea and against City “But we never gave the tie a loss. If we came back it’s because we had more energy and confidence. The game ends when the referee whistles, Boskov said. We played better than the others,” said the Italian, who gets upset when he is told about the luck of his Madrid.
The Italian coached Chelsea for two seasons and has very good memories of the London club: “I’m a fan of theirs. They have a top team. Right now they’re not having a good time, but perhaps that’s why motivation can lead them to give their best” .
He also had good words for Frank Lampard, whom he directed as a player. “He doesn’t have the experience that I have, but luckily for him because I’m 63 and he’s 44. That doesn’t change anything tomorrow. He’s a fantastic professional who knows very well what can happen in this type of match and how prepare the game for his players. He will do well for as long as he stays at Chelsea”.
Asked about the case of Valverde, who attacked Alex Baena with a punch at the end of the Real Madrid-Villarreal match last Saturday, Ancelotti commented: “Valverde has extraordinary human qualities, we all know that. He’s fine and has exercised normally. Tomorrow He’s going to give everything, as always. I’d rather not talk about what happened.”
Ancelotti also assessed the fact of having to play the second leg in London: “You have to think that now is different (last season all the comebacks came from playing the second leg at home). You have to make the most of the first leg to be able to manage well the return. We have done well at home and away. Last year we were only not good away in the game against PSG. Tomorrow we want another magical night at the Bernabéu, but the game will not be decisive: this one will last 180 minutes”.
Ancelotti trusts above all in the good moment of VinÃcius: “Because of his inspiration, he is now unstoppable. Sometimes they stop him but he continues, continues, continues… He has a great continuity. He does it every day, he doesn’t keep it even in the trainings”.
David Alaba, who also defended Fede Valverde, went through the press room before Ancelotti: “He’s fine. He has a lot of support from us. He’s focused on tomorrow’s game. I can’t say more about what happened.”
The Austrian defender prefers to play as a centre-back: “It’s no secret that I can play in several positions. I’m flexible, but I’m more comfortable in the centre, where I’ve played for the last four seasons. What I want is to use my qualities to support the team and do well.”
Alaba is cautious before the game: “We do not underestimate Chelsea because we know they are a great team. We will have to be very attentive and focused. They are a strong team and although they have experienced many changes recently.”
