“Benzema is going to play”
MADRID, 11 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has assured that an “emotional” derby awaits them this Sunday against Atlético de Madrid, which he does not want to put “more pressure” than he already has, and has praised the “impeccable” step Diego Pablo Simeone for the rojiblanco team, wishing he could stay “ten years” like him in the same team.
“He has built something important, he has put the club among the best in Europe, fighting every year and winning titles. He continues to do it impeccably. What happened with Simeone is everything the coaches want, to stay a long time and put his mark on it. I hope that what happened to Simeone at Atlético could happen to me at Real Madrid, to stay for ten years, “he declared at a press conference.
On the importance of grief, he explained that “there are three points, but there is an emotional component.” “It is a game against a direct rival. This is going to put more pressure on the two teams, because it is a game that the fans feel in a particular way. We will try to play to win the three points and give happiness to our fans,” he said.
If they win, they will have “three more points over an opponent who is going to fight to the end to win this competition.” “Then there are other games, other moments and dynamics. I do not want to put more pressure on this game, because it is already there. It is good to have it. We are very confident because we are doing well,” he said.
As leaders in LaLiga Santander, the Italian coach considers that they have done “better”, but only to this day. “We have shown that we have done better than the other teams until today. LaLiga, unfortunately, does not end today and we have to play seven more months. Until today, we have done better, but we are concerned about the future, not the past,” he said .
Regarding the game of the mattress team, he assured that he does not know “what game he is going to do.” “They use it against us, so do we. It may be that individual duels are a very important part of this game, the set piece … It is a very strong rival. It is a very difficult game for both teams. I think it is going to It will be a good game that the fans of both teams will love, “he ventured.
He also confessed that he likes “Griezmann, Luis Suárez is a fantastic striker, De Paul too …” “It is a complete team with great players,” he said, before talking about the differences with respect to Atlético he faced in 2013, 2014 and 2015. “The characteristics of the players have changed, now they have more individual quality, they maintain the same offensive and defensive commitment that they had before,” he said.
“I would value it like the other titles we have won. The ‘Champions’ is the most important competition in Europe and in the world. The fact that LaLiga has not won gives me more motivation to do so,” he said about the possibility of winning his Spanish first league.
“BENZEMA IS GOING TO PLAY”
Regarding Karim Benzema’s physical condition, he affirmed that “he has trained well, he is available and will play tomorrow”, and that the only casualty will be Dani Ceballos. “I must highlight the medical staff; at this time of the season, having almost the entire squad ready means that they are doing a very good job,” he said.
On the other hand, he was somewhat more enigmatic about Gareth Bale’s situation. “Okay, he’s in the squad and he can play. I don’t know if he’s going to play, if he has the motivation to do so. He’s ready to play from the beginning and during the match,” he said, before clarifying his words in a later question. . “He must have the motivation and show the desire to play, no matter how many minutes. He has this motivation,” he said.
However, he was clear about the timing of Eden Hazard. “The most difficult thing is not to put a player of 100 million on the bench, the difficult thing is to put a player on the bench. If it is serious, it is even more complicated,” he said.
Finally, Ancelotti was not worried about possible entries to Vinícius. “We are not thinking about this. Tomorrow is going to be a competitive match, with duels, as are all matches with teams that compete for the same goal. Atlético is a solid rival, with individual and collective quality, we are thinking of having a good strategy to have an advantage in the game and in the match, “he concluded.