At Real Madrid, a press conference prior to a classic is not remembered, and even less so in a classic in which the League can be decided, in which the game and the rival are hardly talked about. And that was what happened this morning in Valdebebas. Madrid is still living under the impact of their qualification for the Champions League semi-finals and everything other than that seems simply anecdotal. The criticism received from some sectors for the team’s defensive play does not affect Ancelotti: “We did very well. I have not yet seen any of our fans sad because of how we played. Maybe someone will appear in the next few days. In these cases I remember of a Spanish saying that I really like: Tell me about the sailor sea…”, said Carlo Ancelotti ironically amidst the laughter of the room.
When the fifth question asked him something about the classic, Ancelotti thanked him: “Thank you for asking me about the game.” And he released what he had prepared: “It will be the usual classic. We are going to play against a lively team, very competitive, that is doing very well. I expect an even, competitive match. For us it is an opportunity to win the League because we are very close”. He said that you could win with 80 and he is with 78 points.
Ancelotti praised Barcelona’s young players: “What they are doing at those ages speaks highly of Lamal and Cubarsi. It is important, as we have done, to mix youth and experience well. The young people give them an extra bit of enthusiasm. They will have a future full of success.”
And he continued: “At the moment we are doing very well. The cake is ready. We just need to put the icing on it. And in this month we have to achieve it. We have recovered Militao, Courtois… We only need Alaba.”
Ancelotti gave no clues about tomorrow’s team but there is a feeling that there will be several changes to give breaks. Tchoauméni, who could not play due to suspension against City, is considered safe. The coach commented that Militao is ready to start. Carvajal and Vinícius ended up very cramped. It does not seem that Vinícius will be dispensed with but Lucas Vázquez and Fran García could have their opportunity, as could Joselu.
Almost all the questions were about the tie with City: “It was a tough night, very difficult. We spent more minutes out of the tie against Chelsea. Against City we were classified for more time than eliminated. It was more difficult against City, but I suffered more against Chelsea” (two seasons ago).
Fede Valverde was one of the weakest, but for Ancelotti he seems to be a vital piece: “It is difficult to say what he can improve. He is a team player and that is decisive. He contributes in any position. He is irreplaceable.”
There was also something else unprecedented at the press conference. The word Bellingham was not spoken.
