Carlo Ancelotti held an insightful press conference on the eve of Real Madrid’s decisive Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash against Leganés. Amid controversies surrounding refereeing decisions and the team’s growing injury list, the Italian coach addressed several pressing topics with his usual honesty and clarity. From updates on injured players to managing defensive absences and the club’s recent statements on officiating, Ancelotti provided precise answers to the journalists’ questions.
Which kind of match are you expecting?
Carlo Ancelotti: We need to prepare well and move on to the next stage of this competition. The Copa del Rey is a special tournament for us. Over the years, it has given us a lot of joy and success. Leganés is a strong team that has already shown its quality against top clubs like Barcelona and Atlético. We know it will be a tough match, but we are ready for the challenge.
After Real Madrid’s official statement, do you still trust Spanish refereeing?
Something inexplicable has happened, something that concerns the integrity of footballers and the competition as a whole. What the club is asking for is a clear and transparent explanation. I think it’s good to ask these questions because nothing has been done to protect the integrity of the players and ensure fairness on the pitch. If explanations don’t come, then there’s a problem. And if there’s a problem, someone needs to fix it.
In that statement, the club mentioned “double standards.” What are your thoughts on this?
I refer to what I said earlier. We are talking about the integrity of football and the need to clarify certain situations. The club is simply asking for explanations, nothing more. It’s important that all teams are treated equally, and that is what we stand for.
Alaba is injured, and the club hasn’t signed a new defender. Why?
Unfortunately, we’ve lost two key defenders, Alaba and Rüdiger. Alaba was ready to play tomorrow, he was feeling good, but the injury happened unexpectedly. We hadn’t anticipated this situation, just like with Rüdiger. These are emergency moments, and we have to adapt with the players we have. Jacobo Ramón, for example, was out for a long time due to injury, but now he’s ready to contribute. We trust him, as well as players like Tchouameni or Asensio, who can step into defensive roles if needed.
What kind of explanation would reassure the club regarding refereeing?
What the club is asking for is a clarification of the decisions made and a guarantee that such situations won’t happen again. When there’s a problem, it should be acknowledged and steps should be taken to resolve it. This is an opportunity for Spanish football to show that it can improve and ensure greater fairness.
Do you consider playing Valverde as a center-back?
No, Valverde can play as a full-back but not as a central defender. We have other options for that position, like Jacobo, Asensio, or Tchouameni. Each of these players has specific qualities that can help us in this situation.
Why have you chosen Tchouameni as a center-back?
Tchouameni is a very intelligent player tactically. Defensively, he’s strong in aerial duels and positions himself well. While he isn’t used to playing in this role, his experience as a defensive midfielder helps him adapt. He has performed well at times and struggled on some occasions, but I can only recall one clear mistake that led to a goal. Overall, he has shown that he can handle the role.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest player of all time?
Cristiano defined an era. For me, he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest. He had an enormous impact on Real Madrid and on my coaching career. He helped me stay calm on the Madrid bench with his quality and professionalism.
How are Vinicius and Bellingham doing?
Bellingham suffered a bruise from a knock and won’t be available for tomorrow’s match. Vinicius had an extra recovery day. He didn’t train today, but he will be in the squad to face Leganés.
Manchester City made several signings this winter. What do you think about that?
I have to focus on the game against City when the time comes, considering the players they’ve signed. But I don’t want to comment on that right now. They are always competitive, but we have other priorities to manage before thinking about them.
You have coached in the five major leagues. How do you compare officiating across them?
That’s a very complex question. Each league has its own characteristics. In England, referees are under less pressure, which may allow them to perform better. In Spain, there are challenges, but this is also an opportunity for improvement.
Could anything have been done differently to avoid these injury issues?
What I need to focus on is how to manage this emergency situation. We faced a similar situation last season, and we handled it well. Young players will have the chance to step up, and we trust them, especially Jacobo.
Have you ever experienced unfair refereeing in your career?
We are talking about a specific situation that has occurred. If no explanations come, that means there is a problem. And if there is a problem, it needs to be fixed. That’s all I can say.
How have you prepared for the match against Leganés?
Rüdiger’s absence is significant, especially in set-piece situations. Leganés is a well-organized defensive team that has achieved good results against top sides. This morning, we focused on set-piece drills to prepare for their defensive structure.
Would they have taken action in Italy in a similar situation?
Each country handles these matters differently. In Spain, this situation could be an opportunity for football to improve and ensure greater fairness.
How is Mbappé?
Mbappé trained today but has a calf bruise. Although he trained normally, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s match. We prefer not to take any unnecessary risks.
There have been many complaints about refereeing. What are your thoughts?
I completely agree with the club’s statement. If no explanations are given, that means there is a problem, and that problem needs to be solved. It’s crucial for the future of Spanish football.
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