The Real Madrid coach tries to downplay the controversy over the Brazilian on the eve of the capital derby
Of the fourteen questions Carlo Ancelotti had to answer at the press conference prior to the Real Madrid-Atlético game at the Metropolitano, six were about the controversy surrounding Vinicius’s celebration of his goals and the recent skirmishes he’s had with its rivals. And, as more than expected, the Italian coach tried to downplay the matter so that the ball doesn’t get even bigger. “I can assure you that it will not affect the dressing room or Vinicius. It’s a subject we don’t touch. Usually they talk about football in a locker room,” said the transalpine.
“Nothing is happening to me. He plays football with the pleasure, the quality and the happiness that he has,” Ancelotti pointed out to the Brazilian, who received numerous messages of support after he was the subject of a racist comment by a television participant and who spoke on their social networks on Friday. make sure that the xenophobic nuts will not change their way of being. “In Spain I don’t see this kind of racism. I keep the statement of the club and the Vinicius statement. The player is okay, he wants to play this game and try help the team win the game,” Ancelotti said on an issue that makes the capital derby even more volcanic.
The Real Madrid coach assured that he is not concerned about the escalation of tensions. “I’m not worried because we’re going to play a football match on a rival field and it’s normal for the Atletico fans, who I have a lot of respect for, to support their team. The concern we have is that we’re up against a strong opponent and we are thinking about how we can beat them,” said Ancelotti, clarifying that he has not given Vinicius any advice. “No, because I am not his father or his brother. I’m just a coach,” he said.
Past the runrun over Vinicius, the Real Madrid coach hid his cards over who will serve as nine in the absence of Benzema, who is still not training with the group. “I have the idea for tomorrow, but I won’t say it. Benzema is not for the game. He has started working individually and will be ready for after the break,” he pointed out to the Lyon native, although it is foreseeable that Rodrygo will be re-appointed as the leader’s offensive spearhead. The São Paulo player, who the Italian has already announced he will be taking on a bigger role this season, is having a good time and, how could it be otherwise, Ancelotti is celebrating. “Rodrygo is gaining confidence, he has more minutes and he is taking advantage of it,” he noted.
He stressed that Militao, who has missed the last few games due to injury, will be available for the derby, although he avoided confirming whether the Brazilian central defender will start or participate as the game progresses. “He is ready to play because he has trained well. It could be that he is playing from the beginning or he is playing part of the game. It is a doubt I have because there are more than 11 from which I can choose,” he said.
He predicted a “competitive” match at the Metropolitano and wanted to make it clear that whatever happens at the Rojiblanco site, there will be “nothing definitive” given the heights of the track we are on. He praised his mattress counterpart. “The bond between Simeone, the players and the club is very close and a lot of the success is due to this. Simeone is able to build a very strong relationship with the players, who give everything for the club and for him,” he said of the Argentine coach. “If Atlético has been fighting in Spain and in Europe for a long time, it will come largely by Simeone,” he added when asked about how the Buenos Aires resident is managing the Griezmann case.
Finally, he made irony when he was questioned about the different faces Real Madrid show in the two halves of the matches. “We have a strategy called the fatigue strategy. We make you believe that we are tired and in the second part we took advantage,” he concluded with a smile on his face.
Source: La Verdad
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