Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at the Al-Awwal Park stadium and analysed his side’s victory over Atlético in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup: “We have four days to recover from a tremendous effort considering that both teams had a 6-hour journey on Monday. The game was end-to-end, very competitive and hard-fought, a great spectacle for football. We won because we had more energy at the end.”
“The team never gives up. It’s in Real Madrid‘s DNA and it’s a good lesson for the youngsters. We could have lost today, but we never give up. The team’s very happy and we have to stay calm because it was a match with plenty of emotion. We have 90 minutes left to win the trophy and that’s the objective.”
Evenly matched derbies
“We are both very strong teams in my opinion. Atletico played very well and they came out very strongly with the ball in the first half. Griezmann is playing at such a high level and when Atletico had the ball it was difficult to get it back of them. They’re very well organised and they’re always tough games.”
Strength in depth of squad
“I have a lot of faith in the squad because those who have come off the bench also give me belief. The squad is very motivated and focused. That’s the only way to win this type of game.”
Praise for Carvajal
“He had a very good game. He’s a fantastic player, with a tremendous personality and a tremendous character. He played a big part in the goals and three goals were scored by three defenders. The second was spectacular with him and Mendy. His presence is very important in attack and gives us more options up front.”
Three goals from defenders
“It is quite strange for defenders to score, but we have to believe this is just one more thing. Movement is important and it can create surprise for the opposition by not having a fixed position up front. This can happen on some occasions.”
The three goals conceded
“We have to remember that the first goal could’ve been better defended from a set piece. The second was a great goal by Griezmann, who produced a spectacular run. The objective was to win and we achieved it.”
Rüdiger’s goal from a corner
“It is a weapon we have and at the moment we’re using it to our advantage.”
Kepa
“He had a great game in my opinion. For the first two goals he couldn’t do anything and for the third he might have been affected by Morata’s jump. We’ll see who the goalkeeper for the final is.”
Jeers for Kroos
“I don’t understand it. I don’t think the player does either. I chose Modrić to start because Kroos had a knock and has only trained for the last two days. I preferred to put in a fresher player in this regard. These are very tricky choices.”
Pellegrini’s view that there should be no extra-time in this competition
“I agree. I think he’s right there.”
