Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of their match vs Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon. He was asked about facing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, to which he said: “It will be difficult, as always, to play against Atlético. It will be a nice, entertaining, even and balanced tie. The last two encounters were draws, which means that the quality of both teams is similar.”
Ancelotti on the match vs Girona
“We are in an important moment of the season. We put in a good performance against City. We have to repeat it. We have reached a point where we cannot fail. The League is very competitive and each match can be vital to get to the end of the competition in good shape.”
Ancelotti on two points from the last possible nine
“We have had a bit of bad luck. We have done quite well in the last three games, a little less so against Espanyol, much better against Atlético and much better against Osasuna, where with ten men we were close to winning the game. We must continue along this line, because if you play well and have a good attitude, in the end the result will reward you.”
Ancelotti on whether it is impossible to convince Valverde to rest one day
“No, it’s not impossible. He has played because he’s very good. The day he has some problems or needs a bit of rest, he has no problem staying on the bench. It’s not ruled out that he’ll rest tomorrow.”
Ancelotti on Bellingham’s two-match ban
“We have to accept this decision. The club will appeal to try to cut the two-match suspension. Tomorrow another player will play. Without Bellingham we were able to get good results. Hopefully we can do the same tomorrow.”
Ancelotti on being undervalued
“I feel very appreciated by the club, by my players and by my fans. That is more than enough for me. I cannot make everyone happy. I understand that perfectly. Some will be happy with my work, others less so… The important thing is that the club, the players above all, and also the fans are happy with my work.”
Ancelotti on Atletico’s tweet
“I already have trouble understanding what a tweet is… When we have more time you can explain it to me (laughs). I don’t look at these things, to be honest.”
Ancelotti on Dani Ceballos
“He’s fine, like everyone who played. I’ll evaluate who needs to rest, because it’s a game in which having fresh legs can help. The squad is growing physically, the centre-backs are coming back. Tomorrow it could be an option for Alaba to play after a long time. These are small things that I have to evaluate today.”
Ancelotti on the level of competition in Spain
“In general, it is difficult to find a league season as good as here in Spain, especially this season. In Italy there are not so many teams fighting, in England there is one team, Liverpool, that has made a big difference so far. Here there are three teams at one point and they are teams of a very high level. It is a league that will be decided in the last game.”
Ancelotti on whether he has spoken to Raul Asencio about managing praise
“I haven’t spoken to him about this. He hasn’t changed his attitude from when he arrived and played for Castilla. He doesn’t talk much, he’s very focused on his work and what we talk to him about is trying to improve, as we talk to all the youngsters every day, so that they improve and learn. Above all on a technical level he has some weaknesses that he is gradually improving, but what has stood out the most has been his mental attitude and his concentration that have allowed him to win matches against very, very difficult opponents.”
