Ancelotti stated: “The aim is to play the same game as we did a week ago”
NEWS. 18/02/2025Photographer: Villalba, Antonio
On Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. CET, Carlo Ancelotti made an appearance in the Real Madrid City press room to discuss the team’s playoff run to the round of 16 versus Manchester City. “The game will be tough, intricate, and enjoyable. We want the players who can assist us to return, and we have made every effort to prepare. We’ll attempt to play the game similarly to how we did a week ago. The challenge of this kind of match, in which we risk everything in ninety minutes.
Guardiola doesn’t seem to believe he has a one percent chance of succeeding. I’ll ask him tomorrow before the game, but he believes he has more, so it’s only fair. Although we don’t believe we have a perfect score, we do believe we have a slight edge, therefore we should aim to play the same way we did in the first leg.”
Regarding tomorrow’s lineup, are you unsure?
“I’m certain. The uncertainties have been eliminated. Asencio can play center back, Tchouameni can pivot, and Rüdiger can start. Valverde trained today and is feeling well, so we need to check on him. He had an injury during the Osasuna game, so we have an extra day to recuperate. Asencio is capable of playing right back as well.
The current form of the Whites
“The team is playing well, but the last three games have been tough and we’ve only had one successful outcome, versus City. That makes us feel confident and upbeat. We need to continue playing well and with quality, but more importantly, what has impressed me in the past few games is the sacrifice and teamwork we have demonstrated.”
Is Lucas Vázquez going to play?
“He isn’t yet prepared. He hasn’t finished his recuperation program yet, therefore he might start on the bench.
Mbappé
“Everyone can see that he is physically well and driven. He is a really cool-headed individual. He manages and copes with stress quite effectively. He’s doing fantastically.
The most recent La Liga refereeing rulings
“I’ve previously expressed my thoughts on the events that have occurred and are currently taking place. It’s pretty unexpected, and I don’t have much more to say. The events against Osasuna, Atletico, and Espanyol have not pleased us. We have been at a disadvantage in these three games, and I don’t understand why. The errors made in the previous games have been very obvious.
The VAR
I have my doubts because I believe it has taken away too much, too little, or too much responsibility from the referee, who ought to have it. Removing the judge’s accountability is risky. VAR was not intended for football-related interventions, but rather to eradicate egregious and evident errors. It frequently searches for a picture, eliminating all of football’s naturalness. I’m not sure how many players and coaches agree with the penalties I see for trampling, not just against us. Tchouameni’s and Camavinga’s penalties, as well as Le Normand’s on Borja Iglesias, are hard to comprehend. Referees are given more authority when there is less VAR interference, .