03:24Spain: 'You have to prepare in a special way' - Real Madrid’s Ancelotti ahead of Copa Del Rey quarter final derby
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said that his team had to prepare in a 'special' way for their Copa Del Rey quarter final clash with local rivals Atletico, as his team held a training session on Wednesday.
“It's a derby. Like all derbies, you have to prepare them in a special way, against a strong team, as always," he said. "We have desire and illusion. We return home, to our stadium, after two months. We’re keen to be back with our fans and our stadium, especially in this type of match, a derby."
Footage shows the Real Madrid players taking part in drills on the pitch. Ancelotti explained that his star Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Junior, statistically the most-fouled player in La Liga, needed the team around him.
"The mental aspect for him is very important. We have to protect him, because he is a player we need. That is, I believe football needs him because he is a player with extraordinary talent," he continued.
Ancelotti recently calls on referees, fans and commentators to show the player more respect. Vinicius Junior has accused La Liga of doing nothing to address racist abuse from the stands, while earlier this month the organisation said it would step up efforts to identify it.
The quarter final match takes place at Real’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Thursday night.
03:24Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said that his team had to prepare in a 'special' way for their Copa Del Rey quarter final clash with local rivals Atletico, as his team held a training session on Wednesday.
“It's a derby. Like all derbies, you have to prepare them in a special way, against a strong team, as always," he said. "We have desire and illusion. We return home, to our stadium, after two months. We’re keen to be back with our fans and our stadium, especially in this type of match, a derby."
Footage shows the Real Madrid players taking part in drills on the pitch. Ancelotti explained that his star Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Junior, statistically the most-fouled player in La Liga, needed the team around him.
"The mental aspect for him is very important. We have to protect him, because he is a player we need. That is, I believe football needs him because he is a player with extraordinary talent," he continued.
Ancelotti recently calls on referees, fans and commentators to show the player more respect. Vinicius Junior has accused La Liga of doing nothing to address racist abuse from the stands, while earlier this month the organisation said it would step up efforts to identify it.
The quarter final match takes place at Real’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Thursday night.