Ancelotti: “If you run a lot you can tie the game, if you make the difference you can win it”

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti met with journalists for his usual pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League last 16 second leg, where he addressed a number of topics. Asked on what was required to win, Ancelotti was clear, “if you run a lot you can tie the game, if you make the difference you can win it.”

Ancelotti on how the team is feeling

“Well, motivated. As always in this competition. It is a difficult match and we know it. But we are confident to continue in this competition, which is very special.”

Ancelotti on whether this could be season-defining

“It is a match that allows us to keep dreaming, as we did in previous years. This year’s round of 16 is more complicated than in previous years, but we are confident that we will continue to fight.”

Ancelotti on his record against Atlético

“As far as I can remember, all the games we have 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.”

Ancelotti on whether it would be unfair to bench Brahim and Modrić

“I have more than 11 players. And those who come in will contribute. A well-made change can make a difference.”

Ancelotti on whether his team is practicing penalties

“The objective is clear: we want to play in the quarter-final. Whoever they are. And rehearsing penalties is difficult. To repeat the atmosphere, the mental situation? We are not thinking about that at the moment. For the moment, we are thinking about getting the game right.”

Ancelotti on Modrić not starting consecutive games

“It’s a coincidence. I don’t look at statistics to set the lineup. Don’t worry about Modrić, I don’t look at these things.”

Ancelotti on Diego Simeone

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

Ancelotti on Vinícius and Mbappé’s relationship

“I have not seen anything. I see that they get along very well.”

Ancelotti on who is responsible for the result

“Those responsible for the victory are the footballers... And for a defeat, you already know it.”

Ancelotti on his best memories with Simeone

“No, I have a lot of respect for him. He is fantastic. As I said before, we have the same idea of football.”

Ancelotti on whether it’s normal to blame him for defeat

“It is not Real Madrid’s problem, it is a problem of the coach. Everyone is very clear about that. The only one responsible is always the coach. It is nothing new. It is 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 I like, that I have the responsibility I have to have.”

Ancelotti on asking the attackers to press

“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 must focus on the technical and tactical aspect. They have the rest.”

Ancelotti on stopping Atlético Madrid

“I prefer to focus on my own. 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.”

Ancelotti on preparing penalties

“In a penalty shootout training you can see which player shoots better. When we make the list of penalty takers we take into account what we see in training. If one is more accurate, if he looks at the goalkeeper or not, and so on. When we prepare this list we don’t take into account the mental aspect. I’ve had players who could shoot very well but didn’t have the feeling to shoot in a shootout. If I have to choose for a shootout, the mental aspect is more important than the technical aspect. I won the Champions League with defenders who scored penalties: Serginho, Nesta.... It’s not wrong to say that you can’t take a penalty. You have to take responsibility.”

Click here to read article