‘Who is going to play for Benzema? It’s all decided, but I’m not telling you’

Carlo Ancelotti He has appeared before the media to analyze tomorrow’s Clásico, Sunday, at the Bernabéu (9:00 p.m.). The coach confirmed the casualties of Benzema and Mendy and made it clear that Real Madrid must play a complete game against Barça.

Joy in the stands and seriousness in the field

“If happiness is at the end of the game, yes. Seriousness is key, of course. A Clásico demands a lot, it’s a special game that will demand the best of us. We are prepared and we go with confidence”.

Benzema

“Both he and Mendy can’t play and they won’t go to France either. They stay in Madrid working with us.”

If it were final, Benzema would have risked

“Not risking, we have never risked. In Paris he didn’t risk, he played because he could. But not tomorrow, because he hasn’t trained with the group. He still has some discomfort”.

What match is Real Madrid going to play?

“It will be one with many facets, offensive, low block… We played against a very strong team and we have to play a complete game. We will have to press well, come out well from behind, do many things. win, we were wrong.

If they win or tie, rule out Barça for the League

“If we win we have three more points; if we tie, one; and if we lose, none. I wouldn’t rule out Barcelona in any case, no matter what happens. Because they’re going to fight until the last game”.

Low alternatives to Benzema

“Everything is already decided, but I’m not telling you”

Xavi

“Barcelona’s identity hasn’t changed. It’s a team with a very clear style and Xavi embodies it perfectly. Barcelona have improved a lot, they’re in a good dynamic. My opinion is that they’re doing very well.”

Bale, alternative to Benzema

“It’s one, like Mariano, Jovic, Asensio, Isco… There are many, but I’ve chosen the one I think is best for this match.”

Madrid can beat Barça without Benzema

“I think so. Karim is a very important part, because he completes all the work, but without him we have to keep up the work and look for different solutions.”

Benzema injury concern

“I’m not worried. He’s 34 years old and it can happen, but every time he’s come back he’s made a difference. And he’s had minor annoyances. In these two weeks he’ll recover and come back to be important, make a difference, in the final stretch of the season “.

Real Madrid style

“Real Madrid’s style must be one that embodies the characteristics of the players. That’s what all teams have to think about. If you have players capable of making good possession, you can play that; if you have good defenders with your feet, you come out from behind; but if not, for example, the long ball is a great option. I don’t rule anything out. From my experience, I have always tried to apply a team in which the players are comfortable, never forcing them to play in a way that make them feel uncomfortable. For me, football is not just a style, you have to be able to play in various ways. And this squad has so much quality that it can do it”.

Relationship with club, players, locker room

“I’m still on my honeymoon. I’m happy, happy; I feel respected by everyone. Inevitably, the players who don’t play suffer more, but my job is to make decisions that affect the players. All my players are very professional.”

Nacho

“He is a player with a lot of balance in his character. He knows perfectly what his role is in the squad. It doesn’t affect him whether he plays or not, he maintains that balance, and that allows him to have a very high level of professionalism no matter how many minutes he has. Or even if he plays as a central defender or winger.”

Hazard and Bale, happy with them

“Yes. Obviously players at this level want more prominence. If they haven’t had it, it’s because I have chosen other players based on a professional issue. But they have never missed a training session. Nothing.”

Clásico returns to the Bernabéu

“The last time was unforgettable. We all have in our hearts what happened that time. Our fans and we will want to repeat it. It can be done”.

Load of Benzema minutes

“Assessing his future is a task that we will have to do, but this season he has played fair. His absence has not affected, because he is still top scorer in the First Division. When he was injured, he has taken advantage of it to come back better and make a difference. I think who has had injuries in the right period, now, for example, he is not going to go to France and when he returns he will be fresher”.

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