Ancelotti: "The team has had the commitment that it did not have in recent games"

"We want Vinicius to be respected a little more by everyone"

MADRID, 23 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, praised his team for being "compact" and having the "commitment" that they lacked in previous games to win a demanding duel (0-2) against Athletic Club, despite giving rest important players, to respond to the victory shortly before FC Barcelona.

"I have not taken risks with Kroos because it is important to have many players motivated at this point in the season. Ceballos and Asensio deserved to play after the game against Villarreal and Kroos could use a rest after playing many games. Luka could play because he has trained very well, but I have preferred that he also rested. The team has competed and has defended very well", he said at a press conference in San Mamés.

The whites' coach gave importance to his team's defensive level against an Athletic that had moments of pressing hard. "The analysis we made has been correct after not defending well in recent games. Today we have suffered in Bilbao because the rival is a very good team. However, we have had a compact block and the team has had a collective commitment that it did not have in the last meetings", aimed.

In addition, the Italian coach was asked about a Vinicius whom he defended. "Vinicius is a great player and a very sensitive person. I've seen him focused on the game. But Vinicius is squeezed by his rivals with kicks, the rival fans and sometimes the referee. Today they kicked him a lot again. He's going to improve in this aspect, but he is very young and at the moment they are pushing him. Vinicius likes to play football, but sometimes he loses concentration a bit. I love him very much and we want him to be respected a little more by everyone. I have said that it spoke with me and was calm. It has done his party like always", explained.

In the same way, Ancelotti answered the question about Nacho and his great game. "Nacho can play as a right-back, center-back or left-back. He always delivers, he's exemplary and he's a player that all coaches would like to have on their team. The players who play less are contributing a lot. I'm referring to Nacho, Ceballos, Asensio or Camavinga. This gives us confidence for the future because it doesn't stop and we have to play a lot of games", he said.

"It's very difficult to get points here. Last year we did well, but they eliminated us in the Cup. The atmosphere here is fantastic, but very complicated. We managed the game well, we suffered and we fought. I don't know which is plan A or B. Our plan is to play every three days and win the games", he concluded.