“We’re not thinking about preparations for the Champions League, we’re thinking about Valencia”, said the Whites’ manager.
Real Madrid are setting aside their dream of a tenth European title for a few weeks to continue their battle for the Liga. Ancelotti spoke of the match against Valencia: “We’re not thinking about preparations for the Champions League. We’re thinking about Valencia and we’re going to fight to the end for the Liga. We know what happened to Valencia, I feel for them because losing at the end like that isn’t easy. We’re going to prepare as well as possible. They’re a good team, with quality and good football. We have to be very careful, it won’t be an easy match and we need to win. It’s very important that we maintain this intensity to the end”.
“I’ve decided what I’m going to do with the goalkeepers. Diego will play tomorrow, Iker on Wednesday. Then Diego will return against Celta and Iker will play against Espanyol. I’ve spoken to them and they’re both happy with it. Casillas needs to play this month. It didn’t seem right leaving him out for a month to prepare for the final”.
Khedira returns
“Modric didn’t train because he took a knock to the calf and he’s sidelined. Khedira will be available tomorrow, he’ll start on the bench. Arbeloa is unavailable, but he has started to train with the team this week. We’re going to put out our best side against Valencia”.
“I’ve decided what I’m going to do with the goalkeepers. Diego will play tomorrow, Iker on Wednesday. Then Diego will return against Celta and Iker will play against Espanyol. I’ve spoken to them and they’re both happy with it. Casillas needs to play this month. It didn’t seem right leaving him out for a month to prepare for the final”.
Khedira returns
“Modric didn’t train because he took a knock to the calf and he’s sidelined. Khedira will be available tomorrow, he’ll start on the bench. Arbeloa is unavailable, but he has started to train with the team this week. We’re going to put out our best side against Valencia”.
WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE BEATING VALENCIA WON’T BE EASY.
“We have to be cautious with Khedira. His recovery has been very good, he came back quickly and he’s well. He needs to play. He’ll start on the bench tomorrow and next week we’ll have a friendly in Valdebebas to help him get up to speed”.
Did you feel you were being questioned?
“It’s normal for the manager to take responsibility when things don’t go well. In football, when things go well it’s thanks to the players and when they don’t it’s the manager’s fault. When I’ve been criticised I’ve not worried about it. The beginning of the season wasn’t easy; we needed to find a balance and when we found it things went better. Now the fans have more confidence in my idea of football”.
Replacement for Alonso in the Champions League final
“The most obvious replacement is Illarra because he has that ability and habit of playing in that position. The candidate is Illarra, but we’re going to appeal against Xabi Alonso’s card and we hope they’ll withdraw it.”
Atlético
“They played very well against Chelsea. And Barcelona before that. It’s a solid team, with a lot of desire and great individual quality. They have players who are among the best in Europe. We don’t expect them to slip up, we expect to have to win the game ourselves. If Atlético get the two victories they need to win the Liga we’ll congratulate them. We’re not talking about bonuses here. I’m not interested. Levante are going to try to play their game. It’s something I don’t understand”.
Did you feel you were being questioned?
“It’s normal for the manager to take responsibility when things don’t go well. In football, when things go well it’s thanks to the players and when they don’t it’s the manager’s fault. When I’ve been criticised I’ve not worried about it. The beginning of the season wasn’t easy; we needed to find a balance and when we found it things went better. Now the fans have more confidence in my idea of football”.
Replacement for Alonso in the Champions League final
“The most obvious replacement is Illarra because he has that ability and habit of playing in that position. The candidate is Illarra, but we’re going to appeal against Xabi Alonso’s card and we hope they’ll withdraw it.”
Atlético
“They played very well against Chelsea. And Barcelona before that. It’s a solid team, with a lot of desire and great individual quality. They have players who are among the best in Europe. We don’t expect them to slip up, we expect to have to win the game ourselves. If Atlético get the two victories they need to win the Liga we’ll congratulate them. We’re not talking about bonuses here. I’m not interested. Levante are going to try to play their game. It’s something I don’t understand”.
