Madrid's Trainer Ancelotti Appears More Composed Regarding Champions League Arbiters Prior to Man City Showdown
In a candid pre-match press conference, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti expressed his relief with European referees, claiming they're "calmer" compared to their Spanish counterparts. The heart of his sentiment stems from the contrasting efficiency and consistency observed in the Champions League versus La Liga.
The past tumultuous run in La Liga, with controversial decisions and questionable refereeing, has placed Real Madrid in a challenging position. Javier Tebas, La Liga president, has also been drawn into the fray, with issues of perceived injustices casting a long shadow over the club.
After FC Barcelona reclaimed the league lead with a win over Rayo Vallecano, Ancelotti was questioned about his views on European versus domestic refereeing. He chuckled, walked the tightrope of diplomacy, and shared his opinions with poise.
"Yes, because statistics talk. In Europe, there's less controversy, fewer interventions, and they deal with them when necessary," he opined. He added, with a wry smile, that the Champions League offers the finest referees from every nation, and the overall quality is commendable.
Ancelotti even took a jab at VAR, highlighting its over-reliance in the wake of Jude Bellingham's red card at Osasuna. He argued that VAR has sucked away the authority of the referee, creating a dicey situation with potential for errors.
"I have doubts about it [VAR] because I think that the VAR has taken too much responsibility away from the referee... The moment that happens, a somewhat dangerous system comes in," Ancelotti pointed out. He also criticized the handling of penalties, citing Eduardo Camavinga's and Aurelien Tchouameni's recent cases as examples of VAR's often bewildering rulings.
Taking a step back, Ancelotti stressed the importance of his team's focus against Manchester City, where they must not repeat passing advantageous positions. He acknowledged that this has been an Achilles' heel, producing mental blocks that ultimately threaten their progress.
"This is a psychological issue because it has happened many times, but it is difficult to fix. You can pretend that we don’t have an advantage in the game and act as if we were 0-0 or that we have to come back... But it’s silly and no one believes you. What you can change is the attitude of the team and plan the same game as the one a week ago," Ancelotti concluded.
As the stage is set for the Champions League playoffs second leg decider against Manchester City, Madristas will be eager to put past lessons behind them and secure their place in the upcoming rounds.
Ancelotti's remarks about La Liga referees echoed the sentiments of many, including La Liga president Javier Tebas, who has been at the center of the controversy. His comments have sparked discussions about the naturalness of decisions in both European and domestic competitions.
The controversy surrounding refereeing decisions in La Liga led to a difficult situation for Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti expressing his concerns about the potential for layoffs due to disagreements with officials. Meanwhile, the Champions League has continued to offer a more consistent and efficient refereeing system, something that has been praised by managers like Ancelotti.
In the midst of this debate, Manchester City and FC Barcelona have emerged as two of the top contenders in La Liga. The team leading the league, Barcelona, has recently had a win over Rayo Vallecano, while Manchester City is preparing for their second leg decider against Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs.
Ancelotti's criticism of VAR extended beyond Jude Bellingham's red card at Osasuna, as he highlighted the potential for errors that come with over-reliance on the technology. He pointed out instances of bewildering rulings, such as those involving Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, as examples of the system's shortcomings.
Despite the controversy, Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming matches. As Real Madrid prepares to face Manchester City, he has urged his team to learn from their past mistakes and maintain a positive attitude, even in favored positions.
The manager's sentiments echo the emotional state of the team and the fans, who are eager to put the controversy behind them and focus on the Champions League playoffs. As the competition heats up, Madristas will be looking to Ancelotti to guide them towards victory and secure their place in the upcoming rounds.
