Ancelotti: "I can understand the expulsion of Paulista, although it was a bit ugly"

"I want to give more minutes to those who are behind Modric and Kroos"

"Regarding injuries, Militao's has been more serious than Benzema's"

MADRID, 3 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was satisfied this Thursday with his team's victory against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabéu, at the same time that he highlighted the role of players like Vinicius and Ceballos and downplayed the expulsion of Gabriel Paulista .

"Paulista did not confront Vinicius much during the game. It was the frustration of a game they had lost and a bad moment for the team. I, who have also played football, can understand the expulsion, although it is true that it has been a bit ugly", acknowledged the coach at a press conference after the game.

In this sense, the Italian highlighted the role of Vinicius, key in the victory with his goal. "Vinicius is doing very well, although he has room for improvement. His level at the moment is very high. He brings a lot to the team. The expulsion has been a moment of frustration that can sometimes happen in football", he expressed.

"His physical level is something impressive. He is a player who suffers much more in the first half because the rivals play with more intensity. In the second he moves much more and this makes the difference. The rivals arrive at the end exhausted because he doesn't Stop trying, don't stop," he added.

In addition, he also had words for Dani Ceballos, who was applauded by the Bernabéu, although he did not want to talk about his renewal. "Ceballos is doing very well, everyone recognizes it. There is a contractual issue that the two parties have to discuss. Everyone knows what I think. I think it will not be a very important issue because if it continues like this it will be very important," he said.

Asked about the transition of the oldest players with the youngest, the coach acknowledged that his intention is to give more minutes to the latter. "We are managing this transition like this and it will be like this until the end of this season. I want to give more minutes to those who are behind Luka (Modric) and Kroos, taking into account that both are fundamental for this team," he said.

"If I change a player, it's not because he's not playing well, but because I have the resources. Sometimes I don't put Rodrygo in from the beginning because I think I have one more option from the bench. Rodrygo has allowed us to win the Champions League from the bench ", he explained.

Lastly, the Real Madrid coach spoke about the injuries suffered by Militao and Benzema and the good form the Whites are going through. "The game has been good, we're having a good run. Everything has gone well. Regarding injuries, Militao's has been more serious than Karim's. Benzema has been a light thing. Militao won't be on Sunday", concluded.