Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the Anfield press room relaxed and with a broad smile. The Italian coach sees his team much better than in January and believes that the improvement in defense has been key. The Vinícius issue was covered by both the Spanish and English press and to defend him Ancelotti used two Barcelona players: "Vinícius likes to play football wherever he is. And, above all, in places as important as the one in tomorrow. It's a pleasure to see him play, but for all of football, not just for Real Madrid. Because he's very good, like Pedri, Gavi, Mbappé or Haaland... it's a pleasure to see players with this quality".
The Italian coach refused to put Real Madrid among the favorites for this year's Champions League, but he did concede that "today we have more options compared to the options they gave us last year, which were much fewer."
Jürgen Klopp defined the final in Paris this afternoon as "torture". Ancelotti said "I agree with Klopp that it was a very even game, in which Liverpool had more possession, but we were very well behind. But this is different: there are two games. You have to do well for 180 minutes," he said. .
And then he added: "We have not changed and we know what awaits us: not even having time to breathe. Liverpool squeeze you, squeeze and squeeze. We are ready."
For Ancelotti, the most important thing is that "we are already defending well, leaving clean sheets. The team is getting used to defending well and, of course, tomorrow defending well will be key. I am convinced that we will do it".
The coach did not want to reveal who is going to replace Kroos, who has stayed in Madrid with gastroenteritis: "What I am thinking about is whether to delay Valverde. But I will think about it until tomorrow. That is the question: a more controlled team at the back or more forceful above".
Ancelotti did confirm that Benzema will start: "I see him well; tomorrow he will start. He also gives off enormous enthusiasm for this Champions League, because the memory of the last one is still very fresh."
The last question was about racism in Spain: "It is a very serious issue. There is no law that can change a person's mentality: that is culture and common sense. I do not blame Spain; this happens in all countries. Spain It's a fantastic country, I'm delighted to live there, it's spectacular in every way, what needs to change is respect for people."
Before Ancelotti, Luka Modric went through the press room, who assured that he wants to renew for another year: "I want to renew but because I deserve it; not because of what I've done here so far. Madrid is the club of my life, but No one has ever given me anything."
The player maintained that he wants to continue with Croatia until the final phase of the League of Nations: "Real Madrid has never asked me for anything, such as resigning from the national team. It is not their style to give an ultimatum. Croatia does not affect my performance with the club in no case. There is a lot of talk about my age (37 years)... but I have shown up to now that they can be compatible", he commented.
Later Ancelotti ruled in favor of renewing the Croatian. Asked if he deserved it, the coach commented: "He has shown it throughout his career. He is growing, improving after the World Cup. His quality is enormous and his desire to continue at Real Madrid is the same."
