Carlo Ancelotti appeared in Valdebebas in the preview of the Madrid derby of the League tomorrow Saturday at the Bernabeu, sending a message about the honesty of the referees: “I am convinced that at the moment there is no arbitration corruption here or in Europe. Sometimes, fail, but like any human being,” he said.
Atlético felt harmed by the arbitration work in the cup duel on January 26 (it requested the expulsion of Ceballos, among other things, and the mattress club issued a harsh statement on January 28 denouncing, in its opinion, habitual favoritism arbitration to Madrid through its CEO and largest shareholder, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín). Ancelotti did not want to get too involved in the controversy: “Tomorrow’s referee (Gil Manzano) is an international referee and I think he has the experience to whistle this type of match. He is a highly valued referee in Europe.” In his press conference moments before in El Cerro del Espino Diego Simeone also praised Gil Manzano.
The Italian coach sees his team, which is going through a good run since the Club World Cup won in Morocco, in a good light: “We’re fine, injuries aside. But they are foreseeable with the calendar we have. The team has improved physically: Kroos, Modric, Ceballos…everyone is better. In general we are much better. Now we don’t have problems playing with intensity”, he said.
Asked about Sergio Ramos and that he thought age (37 years) was an obstacle to preventing his return to the national team, Ancelotti commented: “If a player complies, it doesn’t matter how old he is. Being 17 doesn’t make you have to play if you don’t deserve it… well, the same thing with 35, 36 or 37. You have to evaluate the day-to-day, that he can meet it. Sometimes there is talk that I don’t use the youth academy, but I put a 17-year-old goalkeeper, Buffon. And I did it because he was very good, better than others. And the same thing happened to me with Maldini who won a Champions League playing with 39 and that he trained only one day a week. And if you’re better than others you should play”.
The coach also appreciated Vinícius’ good moment: “It’s rare that he never gets injured, but he has spectacular genetics. Thanks to his parents. And then there’s his professionalism: he takes great care of himself, before and after games and training sessions. He is a boy who is very focused on his work.”
Ancelotti requested the renewal of Nacho, whose contract ends on June 30: “I see him every day and he has had moments when he was not happy because he did not play. But he has not complained, he has continued to suffer and show professionalism. When he did, I’ve needed it, it’s been ready. And that’s what a player should do. I’m not here for the individual, I already said it. I’m here for Real Madrid to win. And I’m sorry for my players. When I don’t see them well, I don’t have a good time Me. Tomorrow Nacho is going to be a left back and hopefully he will be here next season. I don’t know if he will be there”.
Like every time there is a derby, Ancelotti and Simeone are full of praise for each other. The Italian said this morning about the Argentine: “I like him as a person. He is very honest when he analyzes the matches. He has had enormous success in a team that, let’s not forget, a large part of his recent success is due to the fact that he has been able to instill in him a identity, a mentality to the team. This has been a success”.
Asked if he was afraid of his renewal, Ancelotti laughed: “I don’t have to renew, it’s something that’s done (he has one more year on his contract). I’m calm. All I have to do is win games.”