Real Madrid coach Nasser, Italian Carlo Ancelotti, refereed the El Clasico match against Barcelona, which was played today and the royal team won 3/1.
Ancelotti received a question regarding the match report stating that Barca president Juan Laporta went to the referees’ dressing room to ask referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez for explanations regarding some of his decisions.
Ancelotti, who does not often mention the performance of referees, confirmed that Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez did a “good performance”.
Regarding the 3-1 victory over Barcelona, he said, “The password for the match is the first half. We were better, more decisive and effective. We controlled well building the ball from the back in front of the high pressure they put on.”
“We also excelled defensively, as everyone committed themselves to teamwork,” Ancelotti said.
Ancelotti tried to reduce the euphoria caused by winning the Clasico, saying, “It is true that they are points that we snatched from the most suitable opponent in this competition, which is Barcelona with all its resourcefulness, but it is only three points, the season is long and full of matches. We are just happy with what we did.”
Ancelotti praised the match presented by Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde, and agreed with what the German published on social networks that the Uruguayan is among the “three best players in the world at the moment.”
“I agree with his assessment,” the coach said. Kroos and Valverde did something good in a different way. Kroos helped a lot in the defensive aspect, although it is not his most prominent characteristic, as for Valverde, he played his usual game, reached the goal and has a great energy.”
Regarding the Frenchman, Aurelien Chuamini, he said that he “has a strong personality,” as he said, “He entered the midfield with all his weight. Playing alongside Modric and Kroos helps a lot, and he feels comfortable with them.”
The coach also praised the Brazilian Militao and his observation of Lewandowski, and said, “I asked him before the match to be more aggressive than Alaba, to come closer and be more decisive.”
In the end, the coach praised the goal of Frenchman Karim Benzema, and expressed his hope that he would be crowned with the Ballon d’Or tomorrow.
