The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has ensured that they should watch FC Barcelona, whom they face this Sunday at the Spotify Camp, “like a lion and not like a cat”and has highlighted the defensive solidity of the blaugranas, as well as recognizing that they are “very motivated with what can happen in the next three months”.
“Tomorrow we have to see him as a lion, not as a cat, because if you think that Barça is a cat, it will be a party. It’s not a party, it’s an important game and we have to fight until the end and be committed and strong to bring out the best in us. That being said, I always have fear; fear or worry before a match is always there, it doesn’t leave you. The hours before the game are the most complicated for me“He declared at a press conference.
In this sense, he believes that they should “enjoy the moment of being the protagonists of an important game, prepare it well and play it better”. “You can win only if you are able to bring out the best in all aspects.”, he warned, assuring that “no” they think that a defeat could definitively leave them out of the fight for LaLiga. “We don’t think about this, we think about winning tomorrow’s game. What happens if we don’t win, we’ll think about it later; As of today, we think about winning tomorrow’s game,” he said.
The Italian coach sees Barça “a very solid team behind” and that “he has conceded very few goals”. “They have had an important collective commitment and this has allowed them to win games when they have suffered a little more than normal”, he analyzed, pointing out that his footballers will play “offensive without risk” tomorrow.
“It’s very difficult to say what game he’s going to play tomorrow because every game has its story. Barcelona defended a lot in the Copa del Rey match because they took the lead in the second half. The match can be different depending on what happens in the match; If we score early or they score early, the game can be straightened out one way or another,” he said.
Regarding the possibility of winning a title this season, the Real Madrid coach acknowledged that it is in the Champions League where they have the best chances. “The data say that we have a disadvantage in the Copa del Rey, that we have a disadvantage in LaLiga, but where we have no disadvantage is in the ‘Champions‘. I don’t know what can happen. Today we only think about cutting the disadvantage a bit in LaLiga,” she said.
“From January 22 until now the team has done very well, the physical and technical data confirm this. We are in a good mental moment too, we are very motivated with what can happen in the next three months. In the technical and tactical aspect, the team has improved a lot, it is more solid at the back and effective in front, despite some games in which it has not gone well for us. We can do it well,” he continued.
In another order of things, Ancelotti acknowledged that he would like to stay at the white club even if he does not win any title this season. “The written rules change. I’m convinced we’re going to win something this season, so that’s it,” he said with a smile. “It’s an evaluation that the club has to do, I don’t have to do it myself. I have already said many times that I would stay in this club for the rest of my life.although I think it’s impossible,” he said.
“It is a decision that the club has to make at the end of the season.. My thought is that I want to continue and I hope it will be like that. What the club decides is not so important, I enjoy every day that the club wants me here; If you want me here for three months, I’ll enjoy three months, and if you want me here for three years, I’ll enjoy three years. I will thank the club for a lifetime,” he added.
On the other hand, the Italian preparer confirmed that Karim Benzema “is fine and is going to play”, in addition to talking about the difficulties that Vinícius has had with Ronald Araujo in the last Clásicos. “We have the plan because the two teams know each other very well, we have no secrets. We think about how to create damage and how we can avoid problems, and that thought will accompany us until the referee’s whistle,” he stressed.
“(Vinícius) He has had more difficulty in recent games, but Vinícius is always Vinícius. His mobility can help him get the best out of tomorrow’s game. I’m thinking of putting it to the right, let’s see,” he said to the surprise of those present in the press room. “Obviously it’s not serious, “he joked.”Mobility can be important, not having a fixed reference against a striker it is more of a problem for a defender. Vinícius will play on the left with more mobility”, he continued.
He also acknowledged that he is surprised by the criticism of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric because they think that “they are still the best”, and talked about how Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni are replacing Casemiro. “Eduardo is doing well, as Tchouaméni did in the first part of the season. The two have very well replaced a legend, a player who in this position has been the best of all for years. Real Madrid, with these two, can plan their future very well to replace a player who has been a fantastic player in this position,” he said.