Ancelotti: 'Vini Jr. made the difference'
'We're as excited as ever heading into a game as important as the Clásico,' said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press at the Estadio Municipal de Braga to assess Real Madrid's win over the home side. The Italian coach praised Vini Jr.'s performance which saw him named man of the match: 'He's back to his best. He got the goal, which was ruled out by the narrowest of margins, and he made two assists, for Rodrygo and Bellingham. He's back and he's back in form. He made the difference today.'
“We try and play with a bank of four in defence and Bellingham puts a shift in on the left-hand side so Vini Jr. can be fresher in the transitions and for counter-attacks. I don't know how much distance Vini Jr. covered today. The opposition were playing a very high line, that's where the first goal came from. They work really well together with the ball and without it. We have to improve there but they're both doing a great job.'
El Clásico
“After this game, we know exactly what we need to do - everything we can to win it. We have time to get ready for it. I really enjoyed Camavinga's performance at the base of midfield, he played brilliantly. We're heading into this incredibly important game full of excitement.'
Rodrygo
“The goal was crucial because it opened the game up. He's been playing well in recent games and the goal will help him going forward.'
“We try and play with a bank of four in defence and Bellingham puts a shift in on the left-hand side so Vini Jr. can be fresher in the transitions and for counter-attacks. I don't know how much distance Vini Jr. covered today. The opposition were playing a very high line, that's where the first goal came from. They work really well together with the ball and without it. We have to improve there but they're both doing a great job.'
El Clásico
“After this game, we know exactly what we need to do - everything we can to win it. We have time to get ready for it. I really enjoyed Camavinga's performance at the base of midfield, he played brilliantly. We're heading into this incredibly important game full of excitement.'
Rodrygo
“The goal was crucial because it opened the game up. He's been playing well in recent games and the goal will help him going forward.'
Bellingham's discomfort towards the end
“He's alright. He was feeling it a little bit in his abductors because it was a soft pitch. He's a little tired but that's to be expected.'
Defensive efforts
“The four at the back did a fantastic job and Camavinga really helped out. We struggled a bit more in the second half and just as the game was all but done we conceded. That knocked our confidence and we found it tougher. We did well defensively for an hour or so. Braga go forward with a lot of players and winning the ball back wasn't easy.'
What happened Rüdiger after the final whistle
“I don't know what happened. It was a scuffle with the Braga assistant coach with him or Modrić and he was livid. We struggled to calm him down but he was fine once he got to the dressing room.'
“He's alright. He was feeling it a little bit in his abductors because it was a soft pitch. He's a little tired but that's to be expected.'
Defensive efforts
“The four at the back did a fantastic job and Camavinga really helped out. We struggled a bit more in the second half and just as the game was all but done we conceded. That knocked our confidence and we found it tougher. We did well defensively for an hour or so. Braga go forward with a lot of players and winning the ball back wasn't easy.'
What happened Rüdiger after the final whistle
“I don't know what happened. It was a scuffle with the Braga assistant coach with him or Modrić and he was livid. We struggled to calm him down but he was fine once he got to the dressing room.'