Ancelotti: “The best of the night was Modric, an extraordinary player”

Serene but happy and, above all, weighted when assessing how the League is doing. This is how Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach, showed himself. “I’m very happy because it was a game against a strong opponent and we handled it well, just as we wanted. We scored early and with the confidence we have and the solidity behind, we have been very effective. We needed to defend well because they tried to put the balls long and they surprised us a bit at the start with 4-4-2. After the first goal, the game was more controlled, “he analyzed.

He did not resort to clichés when asked what he liked best in the derby. «Modric, the three points, the solidity at the back, Courtois … I think the Bernabéu has the same feeling because Luka played a spectacular game. He has personality, class, resistance, character … He is an extraordinary player ».

He explained the reason for the substitutions of Karim Benzema at halftime, after opening the way to victory with the first goal, and near the end of Dani Carvajal. “Karim was fine on Saturday, but then he felt a bit loaded and I preferred to change him, just like Carvajal.”

Experienced and knowledgeable about how changeable this game is, Ancelotti has not ruled out anyone from the title fight yet: “We are in a good dynamic and so far we have done very well, but the League is not finished with 21 games ahead. I do not rule out any rival. Atlético has quality, personality, character and commitment. Never give up”.

Asensio: “We are on the right track but there is still a long way to go”

Marco Asensio, who started ahead of Rodrygo in the only place that remains to be defined in this Real Madrid, fastened the victory in the derby with the second goal, scored after a great counterattack. “We are very happy for the great dynamics and for this good victory against our fans,” he said. The Balearic Islands are even happier for his goal. “It is a derby, it is lived in a very special way and it is clear that one goal against Atlético is more celebrated.”

As is logical at this point, the League is not finished yet. «We are at a moment with confidence, we are all working very well as a team on the pitch, and that is very important to get the league title. There is much left but we are on the right track ».

He assured that the leader handles various ways of playing well: «Today we have taken advantage of the backlash today, but we have many formulas depending on the rival. On a personal level I feel very well and my intention is always to hurt my opponent ». Vinicius ?: “He’s choosing very well, both to score goals and to give assists, as happened in the derby, and I’m very happy for him because he’s a great guy.”

Vinicius: «We have the best midfielders in the world»

In the opinion of Vinicius, author of two assists, he considered that «it has been one of the best Real Madrid games this season because the team did everything the coach asked for and played very concentrated, knowing at all times what he had to do ».

He believes that «the team will be very difficult to beat as long as it has the three best midfielders in the world, two who handle the situation like Kroos and Modric and another who recovers balls like Casemiro. They make it much easier for us in the strikers. And he stopped at Courtois and Modric. «Thibaut is incredible, I have never seen anything like it even in training. And Luka was the best of the game and he gives me a lot of advice ».