Ancelotti did not stop when he spoke to the game against Manchester City before the game.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti held his regular press conference before the return bone of the Champions League against Manchester City.
He admitted that he did not trust that the city would perform at a low level, confirmed the return of Rüdiger and Alaba to the team and tackled recent referee controversies in La Liga.
What are your expectations for tomorrow's match against City, based on the first stage?
It will be an entertaining, complicated and difficult match. We prepare well and work on returning players. Our plan is to play with the same intensity as in the first stage, aware of the challenges that this kind of game contract. Everything will be decided in 90 minutes.
Do you have comments about Rayo's game [1-0 loss to FC Barcelona]?
No, I have already given my opinion. What happens is surprising. I have nothing new to add. What happened against Osasuna and Atlético are examples of three games where we were made by dubious decisions that we still do not understand.
Do you feel more at ease with European referee?
Yes. The statistics speak for themselves – there is less controversy and less unnecessary VAR interventions. In the Champions League, only the best referees from every country and the quality are very high.
Does Guardiola really think there is a 1% chance to win?
I don't think so. I'll ask him tomorrow before the game. He probably believes that he is more likely, in the same way that we don't think we have 99%. We feel that we have a small advantage and plan to play in the same way as in the first stage, which worked well.
Do you believe that the competition can be affected?
I can only comment on what I see. There were clear errors in those three games.
Do you take results to achieve an advantage?
That is more a psychological factor. It often happens, but it's hard to overcome. Telling the team to approach the game as if it is 0-0 is unrealistic because the 2-3 Scoreline is still there. What we can change is our approach – playing without making calculations, but still remember the advantage that we have.
Do you hope Bellingham will not be punished?
Yes, absolutely.
Are there any doubts about Tchouaméni that return to midfield and the defensive position of Asensio?
I don't have one. Will you? (laughs) That was initially my doubt, but it was resolved. Let me be guessed until tomorrow. I'm joking. Rüdiger could start, Tchouaméni can play as a pivot, and Asencio as the center. We will see how Valverde is after we were injured against Osasuna. Asencio could also play as a right back.
What do you think of the defensive effort despite two draws?
These were three demanding competitions. It is not just about results – the team plays well, which gives us trust and a positive spirit. We have to keep playing with quality, but I also want to emphasize the sacrifice and collective dedication of the team.
Is Lucas Vázquez ready to start?
Not yet. He will sit on the couch because he has not completed his recovery plan.
About referee controversies:
I have my doubts because VAR seems to have taken too much responsibility from referees. It is a risky system. VAR should only correct clear and obvious errors, not make football -related interventions. Often it only removes the natural flow of the game because of an image. Some punishments are difficult to understand – such as those on Borja Iglesias, Tchouameni and Camavinga. Referees will make mistakes, but when VAR comes in to make decisions, it is sometimes even more difficult to understand.
Is Mbappé at its best now?
I don't see anything new. It is motivated and in great physical form. He treats stress well before competitions and remains calm. He is currently doing very well.
Do you think that the club's letter to the RFEF influences the referee's decisions?
I prefer not to comment on that.
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