Ancelotti talks Mbappe, Vinicius, Modric, Simeone ahead of Atletico vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will square off again tomorrow at the Metropolitano tomorrow with a spot in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League on the line.

Los Blancos have a slight advantage heading into the second leg of the Round-of-16 tie thanks to the 2-1 win over their neighbours in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.

Ahead of the blockbuster clash tomorrow, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media, speaking about the Euroderbi.

“Well, we’re motivated. As always in this competition. It’s a difficult game and we know that. But we are confident of staying in this competition, which is very special,” said the Italian tactician.

On whether this match will define Real Madrid’s season, Ancelotti replied: “It’s a match that allows us to keep dreaming, as we did in previous years. This year’s round of 16 is more complicated than other years, but we still have the confidence to keep fighting.”

Talking about how Real Madrid and Atletico under Diego Simeone seem to compete on the same level in derbies all competitions but for the Champions League, he remarked:

“As far as I can remember, all the games we’ve played have been evenly matched and competitive. Tomorrow it will be exactly the same. Equal, decided by small details. That’s what has always happened and will happen tomorrow.”

Having faced off against Simeone for 27 matches so far, Ancelotti was asked if he was the opponent manager who tested him the most. In response, the Real Madrid boss stated:

“What I think is that he is a great coach. And we have very similar football ideas.”

On whether he has any special memories with Simeone, he said: “No, I have a lot of respect for him. He is fantastic. As I said before, we have the same idea of football.”

On being asked if it would be unfair on the likes of Brahim Diaz and Luka Modric to be left out of the team after they impressed in the first leg, Ancelotti noted:

“I have more than eleven players. And those who come in will contribute. A well-made change can make a difference.”

On why Modric has not made two consecutive starts so far this season, he said: “It’s a fluke. I don’t look at statistics when I’m setting my line-up. Don’t let Modric worry, I don’t look at these things.”

Set for another face-off. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

When asked if his team were preparing for penalty shootouts and will play cautiously to avoid yellow cards, Ancelotti replied:

“The objective is clear: we want to play in the quarter-finals. Whoever they are. And it’s difficult to rehearse penalties.

“To repeat the atmosphere, the mental situation? We’re not thinking about that at the moment. At the moment we’re thinking about getting the game right.”

On reports that things might not be completely okay between two of his best forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., he replied:

“I haven’t seen anything. I see them getting on very well.”

On who is responsible for a team’s loss – players or coaches – he replied: “(Smiles) The ones responsible for victory are the players… And for a defeat, you know that.”

When being asked if he feels it is logical for a manager like him to be blamed, he responded: “It’s not Real Madrid’s problem, it’s the coach’s problem. Everyone is very clear about that. The only person responsible is always the coach. It’s nothing new.

“It’s well known. We are aware of it. It’s fine with me. I’m in a very dear position, it’s only fair that because I’m in a job that I like, that I have the responsibility that I have to have.”

Having previously stressed on the need for defensive commitment from all players, Ancelotti was asked if he had spoken to his forwards to improve their work rate.

“No. What I will do is focus on what we have to do with and without the ball. The motivation and pressure will be very high. The players have to focus on the technical and tactical aspect. The rest, they’ve got it,” he said in response.

On his plans to counter Atletico, he said: “I prefer to focus on my own thing. How to attack in low block, how to get out of pressure, how to avoid the counter…. Atleti can play in many ways. Just like Madrid.”

Source: AS