The Real Madrid coach again comes forward in defense of the Brazilian, whom he sees as “motivated” and “focused”, although he stresses the need to “protect” him.
Another derby with Vinicius in the spotlight. The Brazilian winger, the protagonist a few months ago at the Metropolitan for his dances celebrating the goals and the racist insults he received, remains the subject of discussion as the defenders and rival fans continue to look for the bends and the carioca He does not stop entering the provocations, which sometimes disconnect him from the games. Like a few days ago at the end of the league game with Athletic, Carlo Ancelotti took advantage of the preview of the derby against Atlético in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey to defend his pupil when asked if Real Madrid fears that all this breeding ground argues for some kind of injury of the international with the ‘Canarinha’.
“Hopefully not. We are focused on the player, who maintains his physical condition and the mental aspect we have to protect him, because he is a player that we need and that football needs. He has an extraordinary talent and we have to protect the physical and mental aspect. I see him very motivated and focused. He is not complaining and he is going to contribute,” he said.
Ancelotti stressed that the derby will be “a special game against a strong team”. “We are going home after two months and we are looking forward to it,” said the Real Madrid coach, focused on the goal of reaching the semi-finals, regardless of the extra incentive to knock out Atletico. “We haven’t thought about that. It’s an important chance, nothing more. They are a big rival and winning against Atlético is difficult. It’s not just a game, it’s special. They’re getting better and it’s going to be entertaining,” predicted the Italian.
Real Madrid are reviving the game with their wins against Villarreal and Athletic with a rejuvenated midfield. That does not necessarily mean that there has been a change of guard, but that the process is ongoing and that is how everyone should assume, Ancelotti made clear when questioned without Kroos and Modric remaining in the background. “They are professionals, they understand very well what this entity is, the quality of this squad. Sometimes I don’t have to explain why they don’t play because they understand very well. We talked about this at the beginning of the season. It’s a transitional moment in this squad that everyone needs to understand. The veterans must be understanding and the young must be patient. That was one of the keys to success last season,” he reasoned before underlining the validity of the German and Croat. “They contributed a lot, they contribute a lot and they will contribute this season. They have played many games together that were decisive and will continue to do so,” he explained.
Ancelotti thinks that “it wouldn’t be unfair” that footballers like Ceballos or Asensio don’t start against Atlético given their good reaction in recent games. “They can be part of the rotation that we have to do in these kind of games and in this part of the season. We have to put together the best team possible and that’s what I will try to do,” the coach argued.
He assumes that Valverde has not reached “his best level” after the World Cup, but defended that “he is progressing and contributing”, although “not like in the first part of the season, something he considers “normal” taking into account his participation in the World Cup “We ask Valverde not only to score goals, but also to contribute defensively and offensively and he does. When he reaches his best level, he will score again,” he said.
He confirmed Alaba’s return against Atlético, but not Tchouaméni’s, who he hopes to have available for Sunday’s game against Real Sociedad. “The condition of the team is improving”, he congratulated himself, despite the fact that the losses of Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez and Hazard also continue.
He once again applauded Nacho’s effort, whose performance satisfies him “in all positions”. “Always comply. His characteristics are more of a central defender, but he is so intelligent… He is a pessimist who can fulfill all defensive facets. He likes him more as a central defender and I take that into account, but tomorrow he will play as winger,” he said to the laughter of the press.
He also praised Camavinga’s impulse, which sometimes costs the French midfielder cards but which Ancelotti considers “a quality”. “He’s aggressive because he has a lot of energy and this happens to him sometimes. It is a modern medium that covers the position of the central defenders well and brings us a lot. The game he played against Athletic was excellent. Tactically he was very good and the defensive aspect was fantastic. I liked it a lot,” he emphasized about a footballer who he does not exclude one day ending up in a double pivot with Tchouaméni: “Maybe an idea for the future,” he acknowledged.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
