Real Madrid faces the league competition. They will do so at El Sadar, against Osasuna (Saturday, 12.30 pm) who have not lost at home since November. Before the team trained and traveled to Pamplona, the Madrid coach spoke to the media in a press conference.
Osasuna
“There is almost no need for an answer. They have gone two months without losing at home. We all know how difficult El Sadar is. We are very aware of the tough battle we have tomorrow and the great work their coach is doing.”
Racist insults to Vinicius
“Vini has been sad, like everyone else. Above all, very outraged. It is a racist act that we do not want to happen again. We have a huge opportunity not to let it pass and continue fighting against this scourge that is racism. The really important thing is to fight against acts like the one we experienced the other day. It is an unacceptable situation that we are not going to tolerate. We are going to have everyone in front of us. I want to be very clear. Especially when it comes to a professional colleague. This should not happen on a football field. Absolutely nothing justifies a racist act.”
Team status
“Mbappe’s knee is much better. It’s something that hasn’t completely disappeared, but every day he feels better. As for the team, it has grown a lot in recent weeks. I’m just as calm as when there was criticism. We are aware of the demands of this club and we want to keep working. La Liga is very long, for me it has hardly even started. We have a very difficult visit, like all of them, and our objective is not to relax. To win every game you have to be at 100 per cent.”
Formation and players
“When you arrive you have to get to know the players, try things out and see what works. The performance keeps them on the pitch. They are all responding very well. It’s not about 11 players, it’s about 25.”
Are you disappointed with Mourinho?
“Everyone saw what happened. We were all watching the game. That’s what’s really important, we can’t change the subject. It’s in UEFA’s hands, they’ve been fighting for years and they have the opportunity to show that the fight is not just words.”
Kompany’s statements
“I’m not here to comment on the reflections of Mou or Kompany. He is free to give his opinion, I give mine. Vinicius celebrated as we have seen hundreds and hundreds of times. We should not place the victim as a provocateur.”
Abandon the grass at Da Luz
“If Vinicius said he was not playing, we would have gone one after the other. There is no title that will make me feel as proud as I felt on Tuesday thanks to the camaraderie of everyone.”
Trent
“It’s obvious. It’s not just the accuracy, it’s the tension. He doesn’t need much time to do it. He always has the advantage towards the forwards. We insist a lot on putting the forwards to run. He’s doing very well and it’s not easy to get back to this level.”
Bellingham
“If I could give an arm for Jude to be healthy tomorrow, I would. He’s a leader. What makes me happy is how the team is competing without a player like Bellingham. It speaks very well of the squad. If I could give him the Panoramix potion to get him back, I would. Zero doubts with him.”
Ancelotti’s reflection on Vinicius
“He’s deciding games, scoring great goals, carrying the team on his back… And he’s not afraid. He can live through situations like the other day and come back to the pitch. We’ve all been insulted, unfortunately, but I’ve never been insulted because of my skin colour. I don’t know if I’d be able to go back on the pitch like he did. We’re going to be by his side defending him.”
Defense
“We have five great central defenders. Hopefully Militao will be back soon. I’m happy to have almost all of them fit, let’s see how they train today and we’ll decide.”
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