MADRID, 6 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has expressed satisfaction with the team’s “attitude” and “commitment” in the Copa del Rey round of 32 victory against Deportiva Minera (0-5), in addition to stating that Luka Modric is “a gift” because he prepares these matches “as if they were a final”, and has once again shown his confidence that Vinícius will not be sanctioned for his expulsion at Mestalla.
“I have asked to play a serious game from the beginning to the end. We have done it with a good attitude, with commitment, playing well. I think it has been a good game. Those who have played less have had minutes. We are satisfied. It is obvious that we have more quality than the rival, but it was not obvious to have the same attitude, the same commitment. We have been able to have the same motivation and to move forward quite quickly,” he declared at a press conference.
On the other hand, he assured that Fede Valverde, who played the first half, was “very good.” “We thought that playing 45 minutes was good for him, he came out of the Valencia game very fresh, he had no problem. We preferred to take minutes away from Bellingham, Tchouaméni, and Ceballos too, who had a small problem with his ankle. Federico is very good,” he said.
The one who did not have minutes was Jesús Vallejo, who had “a little discomfort.” “It was his decision. He was not available for the game, but not because he didn’t want to go out, but because he had a little discomfort. It was better not to risk,” he noted, before talking about Luka Modric.
“Modric is a gift for football and even more so for those who can enjoy it from up close, who are the fans, the teammates, the coach, everyone at Real Madrid. For me it is a great gift, especially for the way in which he prepares this type of match; he prepares it as if it were a final. It is a very important example for our young people,” he said of the Croatian.
Regarding the Brazilian Endrick, who started but failed to score, he stressed that he had “a good game” and that “scoring a goal is a detail.” “He moved well on the field, he had opportunities because his movement is always effective, behind the line. He didn’t score a goal because he lacked a bit of success, but his game was very good. Also when I put him on the right was very dangerous. He has to be patient, improve, grow. Obviously, he will score the goals when we need him to,” he stressed.
In another order of things, the Italian coach trusts that Vinícius will not be sanctioned for his expulsion in Mestalla. “We think they are not going to sanction him. Does Vínicius need affection? No, I think he does not need affection because Vínicius can be more. He has given us the opportunity to win two Champions Leagues. He is one of the best players in the world. Does he need more affection? No, I think he has the affection of the Real Madrid fans and that is why he is playing very well,” he said.
Finally, Ancelotti reflected on the moments of criticism of the coaches. “Criticism of the coach is quite normal, it is our job. There is no university of football, so everyone can give their opinion, and sometimes they are also right to give their opinion,” he concluded.