Real Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 for the 34th round of the Spanish Championship, at the Santiago Bernabéu. Focusing on the second leg of the Champions League semifinal, coach Carlo Ancelotti sent a team full of reserves to the field. However, among them was the Brazilian Éder Militão, starter for much of the season, but who was out of the first leg of the Champions League due to suspension. With that, the Italian coach decided to continue with Antonio Rudiger in the position and confirmed that the German will be in the starting lineup for next Wednesday’s clash.
“I was tired and I gave him rest to be fresh on Wednesday. He will play. I don’t know how many minutes, but he will play.
In addition, Ancelotti explained that the decision to spare most of the starters was to give confidence to the other players for the decisive clash against Manchester City, next Wednesday. He recalled the importance of the athletes who came off the bench in winning the last Champions League, last season.
“I had defined the team for Wednesday before today [contra o Getafe], and of that I have no doubt. We will arrive with confidence, I have a bank with many resources that can help in this type of game. Last year the players who came off the bench helped win the Champions League,” he said.
🟢 MOOD: TRAINING 🔛#RMCity pic.twitter.com/TB53lnbjPt
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇧🇷🇵🇹 (@realmadridpt) May 14, 2023
Ancelotti complains about tight schedule in Europe
Finally, the experienced commander was one more to complain about the “non-appointed” calendar of the clubs. Ancelotti cited Guardiola’s complaint on the matter to agree with the opponent. For the Italian, this is a matter for “all coaches” and therefore “someone has to do something”.
“Guardiola complained about the schedule, which is too tight. We played with less rest in the first leg and now it’s their turn. The schedule is not right, period. Lots of games for everyone. For them, it was better to play on Saturday that on Sunday and he was right. I don’t know why we played the first leg on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. All coaches complain about the schedule and someone has to do something”, he added.
Current champion of the competition, Real Madrid seeks its 15th continental title – it is the biggest winner of the competition. The return duel against Manchester City – tied 1-1 on aggregate – takes place next Wednesday, starting at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Etihad Stadium, in Manchester (ING).
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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