Ancelotti: Real Madrid and Barcelona Have Mutual Respect.
Rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, currently engaged in a fierce La Liga title race and set to meet in the Copa del Rey final, share “a lot of respect” for one another, according to Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Madrid trail Barcelona by three points in the league with nine matches remaining and reached the Copa del Rey final in midweek, securing a thrilling 5-4 aggregate win over Real Sociedad. They will face Barca in the final on April 26 after the Catalans triumphed over Atletico Madrid.
“Barcelona is playing well, they’re in great form,” Ancelotti told reporters on Friday ahead of Madrid’s game against Valencia. “In a final, you must respect your opponents. There’s a lot of respect for Barcelona because of their quality, and I believe Barcelona also holds a lot of respect for Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid will also face Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium in May in a crucial league encounter, with both teams advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Ancelotti’s side needed extra time to overcome Sociedad in a thrilling 4-4 draw in the Copa del Rey semifinal on Tuesday.
This weekend, the reigning La Liga champions host Valencia, who have been in strong form, going unbeaten in their last four matches to move clear of the relegation zone.
“We have some doubts due to the extra-time effort,” Ancelotti acknowledged. “We know Valencia are playing well, and this is an important part of the season.”
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains out with a muscle injury, and second-choice keeper Andriy Lunin is also doubtful for the Valencia match.
However, Ancelotti expressed confidence that Courtois would be fit for the Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Arsenal on Tuesday, but noted that 19-year-old third-choice keeper Fran Gonzalez could make his senior debut this weekend if Lunin is unavailable.
“There’s no concern about Courtois—he’s improving and we expect him to be ready for Tuesday,” said the 65-year-old Italian. “We have a doubt about Lunin for tomorrow’s game because of a minor injury, and if he can’t play, I have full confidence in Fran.”
When asked if he would leave the club if Madrid were to win the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League treble, Ancelotti firmly responded, “I won’t be the one asking to leave this club.”
Ancelotti’s tax fraud trial concluded earlier this week, with Spanish public prosecutors seeking a four-year, nine-month jail sentence for allegedly concealing income from the tax authorities.
