An unusual event occurred yesterday in the press room of the Valdebebas sports city. In the run-up to a classic, and also a classic that could practically sentence the League in favor of Real Madrid, almost no one asked about the match or the rival. When Carlo Ancelotti was finally asked about the match, the Italian coach even thanked that someone had remembered today's match. The anecdote clearly shows that the white club is still in the midst of a happy hangover from its qualification for the Champions League semi-finals due to its victory on penalties over Manchester City.
Madrid, a club with an optimistic nature, is currently delighted with its historical resilience and the criticisms about how it achieved qualification not only eludes it but is ironic about them: “In Manchester we did very well. I have yet to see any of our fans sad because of how we play. Maybe some will appear in the next few days. In these cases I remember a Spanish saying that I really like: 'Talk to me about the sailor sea...'”, commented Carlo Ancelotti to the laughter of the room.
In no case does Madrid despise its rival or expect an easy game despite having only lost two games this season and none at home. (Both in the Metropolitano, in the League and in the Cup). Ancelotti on more than one occasion has praised Barcelona's ability to bring out young talents: “What they are doing at those ages speaks highly of Lamal and Cubarsí. It is important to mix youth and experience well. The young people add extra enthusiasm. They will have a future full of success,” he said.
And he continued: “I hope to see the classic classic. We are going to play against a lively team, very competitive, that is doing very well. I expect an even, competitive match. For us it is an opportunity to win the League because we are very close.”
The coach said at the beginning of the season that the League could be won with 80 points and it now has 78. Title number 36 looks very close.
Another unprecedented circumstance this year also occurred yesterday in Valdebebas. At the press conference no one mentioned Jude Bellingham's name.
Rarely in a recent season has Madrid had a clearer gala eleven than in this one and, yet, today's white lineup is more unpredictable than ever. It is known that Ancelotti will rotate, but it is very difficult to know in which positions. Carvajal and Vinícius were the ones who finished the most cramped at the Etihad. It is possible that Lucas Vázquez comes in for Carvajal, but it would be strange to see Brahim instead of Vinícius. Mendy did not train yesterday, and his position could go to Fran García. Tchouaméni did not play and could replace Camavinga, as well as Modric Kroos. The call is the same as Wednesday against City.
