On the other side of the board Carlo Ancelotti, much calmer than Xavi with the result. The Real Madrid coach analyzed the victory that allowed him to regain the leadership in the domestic competition and close a wonderful week after sentencing the pass to the round of 16 of the Champions League. "We had to play a complete game and we did it. It's true that the beginning was good, we got ahead quite early and we controlled it well in the second half".
For the Real Madrid coach, the Real Madrid plan has turned out well. "It was clear that Militao had to put pressure on Lewandowski, we have controlled the players well between the lines with Kroos and Tchouaméni. Benzema has also been good and we hope he wins the Ballon d'Or".
This time the Real Madrid coach did not want to make inventions like the ones he carried out in last season's classic. "I thought about last season that I invented something... and in this game I tried not to invent and put the players in their place. I highlight Modric's game, which was spectacular against his midfield", said the coach who last year he placed the Croatian on nine the day that Barcelona won 0-4.
Of all the Real Madrid players, Ancelotti wanted to highlight the role of Kroos and Fede Valverde. "They have done something very good, strong at the back. Valverde as usual, he is getting used to playing in that position, he is scoring and has spectacular energy and talent," he said.
He also highlighted the role of Tchouaméni who played his first classic. "He is young, first of all he has a lot of character and he also enters a medullary team that has it all. He has a lot of quality and also has personality and character".
He did not forget Karim Benzema, the favorite to lift the Ballon d'Or this Monday. "Tomorrow we are going to congratulate him if he wins the Ballon d'Or because a small piece is also ours". Finally Ancelotti also spoke about the performance of the president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, who went to speak with the referee. With his usual elegance, the veteran coach already in this type of war, he answered the question with "I understand everything, I think the referee has done well"
