Video: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid Highlights

“We’ve got a very competitive squad and we’ve done it without Benzema, our most important player.” Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at the Cívitas Metropolitano and gave his thoughts on Real Madrid‘s derby win over Atlético.

“We can improve on some things, but the fact is that I can’t ask any more from this team. We’ve won every game and are really pleased. I’m proud to be coaching these players

“We managed to play out from the back very well in the first half and both goals involved Courtois playing out. We were comfortable on the ball and in the second half we lost the focus of trying to cause them problems. We had the game under control, but we had to dig in at the end because Atlético’s goal created problems for us. Ideally you want to score lots of goals and not concede, but there’s no such thing as perfection”.

Praise for the team’s defensive play
“We defended with a low block and we’re used to that. We clearly removed the danger of the attacking players up front like Joao Félix and Griezmann. If Simeone says that we defended well in the low block then I’d like to thank him because I think that’s a compliment. I said hello to Simeone prior to the game. He’s fine like that and he’s used to it”.

Benzema’s absence
“The team has done well without Benzema in these games and all the players who have played in his position have done a good job. Today it was Rodrygo, who scored a spectacular goal. There’s a lot of quality in this squad”.

Valverde and Rodrygo
“Both Valverde and Rodrygo are special players. And that’s what modern-day footballers have to be. They can play in different positions and they possess both technical and physical attributes.  The modern-day footballer is complete, has energy and quality. Modern-day football takes advantage of the intensity from footballers because that’s what’s required to play the game. Both players have developed tremendously and we’re delighted because they’re doing so well”.

Vini Jr.
“I can’t limit his talent because that’s what helped us score our second goal and win this derby”.

On the fight for the league title
“Barcelona are doing really well and so are we. Atletico haven’t had the best of starts, but it’s a strange season. We don’t know what will happen after the World Cup and what has happened to Atletico could happen to us or to Barcelona after the tournament. It’s going to be a more competitive league season than the previous one”.