Ancelotti: “The fifth was Vinicius… it’s better that he didn’t have to shoot”

What do you think of the match?

Suffered, complicated, but there is no game at this easy level. It is true that we have complicated them a little more with an obvious error. The first part has been good and the end has been good. And the rival has defended well. We are happy. The team is not full. We have to improve, but we comply. Suffering, not playing at times.

What happened in the second half, after 1-1, was it mental, was it physical?

It wasn’t physical because in the end we were better, we tried to attack and not reach penalties. We are not at a top level, it is normal, there are players who have recently arrived and we have to find the best condition. We were affected by the physical problems of Camavinga, Lucas, Militao… We have put players who were on the limit like Carvajal and Mendy. It has been a game suffered, the good thing is that we are in the final. It is a unique season, with a World Cup in the middle, we have had 14 players there and 20 days after the end of the World Cup, the level cannot be top.

Enlarge

The 1-1 has been a neglect of which you complained.

It has been an episode, the block has been compact in this game, but the play has been an individual play, but a collective error. We didn’t put pressure on the center and we didn’t read that pass well.

How are Camavinga, Lucas and Militao?

Camavinga has had a blow to the knee, it bothered him. Lucas I think it’s a sprained ankle. And the Militao thing is dizzy, he was fine. We have to evaluate Camavinga, and Lucas seems the most serious. Camavinga and Militao I don’t think they have problems.

Enlarge

What good conclusion can you draw from this?

Getting to the final is what we wanted. Usually in the finals we do well. Let’s see what happens. It is a different moment from last year, we are going to fight hard for the Super Cup.

Will you have problems defending the final?

No, I think there will be a competitive defense on Sunday. Carvajal and Mendy showed that they are fully recovered. We have to see Militao and Camavinga, but the defense will be competitive.

How did you organize the penalty shootout?

I have put the three most experienced first, the coldest. Benzema, Modric and Kroos, the best. Then Asensio, who has a very good shot. Then came Vinicius… but it’s better that he didn’t shoot… (laughs).

How did the environment live?

The atmosphere has been fantastic, it seemed that we were at home. We liked a lot. We have all celebrated the victory together in the final.

Enlarge

Mixed zone, with Movistar

What reading do you do?

It has been complicated, a night of suffering. After his goal, everything became complex. But the brand of this club is ‘until the end, let’s go Real’. We are in the final and only whoever arrives can win it.

Say something positive about tonight…

Well… in the first half we were in control. But in the second we lowered the level. We hardly created chances and in extra time, we improved somewhat. It is evident that we have not shown our best level, but we have delivered. We lack a bit of freshness; We just got back after the break and it’s time to work. This team holds up, I like that a lot.

Does it annoy you to receive a goal a few seconds after the restart?

Yes. It was a ball… a cross that we haven’t read well.

How are the injured?

Now what they are all very bad… very tired. But Carvajal and Mendy are fully recovered. Lucas Vázquez, we’ll see… Camavinga has a blow and Militao, I’ve talked to him and now he’s fine.

Enlarge

What did you think of the Valencia game?

He has played with more position and less pressure. He has defended well. A great match.

And Gattuso? Respect above all?

Right relationship, yes. You have to respect people.