Ancelotti: “We Have the Cake, Now We Need to Put the Icing on the Season

Carlo Ancelotti tempers the excitement after advancing in the Champions League against City and ahead of the Clásico, which could be decisive for the League. They are close but haven’t won anything yet. “We need to put the icing on the cake,” he says, and that icing in La Liga they have to achieve against “a very, very good Barcelona.”

He acknowledges they will arrive physically tired, like Mendy, who needed “an extra day of rest.” He’s not worried about criticisms regarding the defensive tactics against City. “I haven’t found any of our fans sad,” he concludes.

“We are recovering well, but players like Mendy need an extra day of rest. He will be in the squad, and I will try to field the best team possible,” he says, appreciating a question about the Clásico after a barrage of inquiries about his players.

“Barcelona is a very competitive opponent. A Clásico is always a hard-fought and balanced match. They are in good form, but for us, it’s an opportunity to get closer to winning the League. We are aware of the difficulties because Barcelona is very, very good.”

Irony Towards Critics

The Italian says it’s not time yet to boast about being in the Champions League semifinals and having the chance to seal the League if they beat Barcelona, especially after a season plagued with injuries. “For now, we’re doing very well; the cake is prepared, and we have to put the icing on it in this crucial month. We’ve recovered Militao, Courtois, only Alaba is missing. We’re entering this final stretch well, but we have to add the finishing touch.”

Ancelotti uses irony when criticized for the defensive approach against City: “I’m not surprised. We were clear about how we had to play. You have to manage well when you have the ball or not. Sometimes there are matches where you have less possession than usual, and we did very well. I haven’t found any of our fans sad; everyone is very happy. The team has shown character and more. ‘Tell me about the sea, sailor,’ it’s something I’ve heard in Spain, and I like it a lot.”

Penalties and a Healthy Atmosphere

Regarding his emotional reaction when Casemiro left, he explains it was because “a legend” was leaving, affecting “all Madridismo.” About Nacho, he says, “his future is up to him” after his “spectacular match against City.”

He explains how they chose the penalty takers at the Etihad, including Rudiger, whom he had never seen take penalties before except in the last training session: “It’s very important to talk to the players and choose those who were emotionally most convinced.”

Ancelotti doesn’t rule out starting Militao against Barça because he’s “ready, although he lacks minutes.” He describes Valverde as “decisive and irreplaceable, wherever he plays, he contributes.” He asserts that “Modric will never accept being a substitute” because “he trains with the same quality and enthusiasm as he did 10 years ago.”