In October 2021, long before winning the League and the Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti admitted his "fear". "It's good, because if you're not afraid, you look at the lion thinking it's a cat," he said. Now, 24 hours before a Barcelona-Real Madrid that can be definitive for the fight for the title, the Italian observes the Catalan team "like a lion". "We have to see him as a lion, not a cat. If you see it as a cat, it's a party, and no, it's an important game," he admitted, while confessing to continue with that fear. "I always have it, the fear, the worry... It's always there. The hours before a game are the most complicated for me."

The white team arrives at the Camp Nou nine points behind their maximum rival, they will be twelve in case of defeat and six if they are able to win. In the absence of 12 days, it seems totally differential. "We will play offensively, offensively without risk because we know each other very well both teams. We don't think the league is going to end."

In the environment, the 'Negreira Case', the investigation developed by EL MUNDO on Barça's payments to the vice president of the referees. From Barcelona and in the voice of Joan Laporta, a "campaign" against the Barça team is criticized. From Madrid, with the club chaired by Florentino Pérez personified as a private accusation in the case, the action of Justice is expected.

On the pitch, Ancelotti's Madrid will arrive without David Alaba, injured, and without Álvaro Rodríguez, sanctioned. The feeling is that the Italian coach will repeat the line-up that faced Liverpool on Wednesday, with Courtois in goal, Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger and Nacho in defence; Camavinga, Modric and Kroos in midfield and Valverde, Vinicius and Benzema above. "I'm surprised when Kroos and Modric are doubted. Mobility will be important," said Carletto, who has "a plan" for Vinicius to overcome Araújo. "Vinicius is always Vinicius. Every game has its history."

On the Champions League draw, he ruled out that having the return away from the Bernabéu against Chelsea and in a hypothetical semifinals is much worse for his team: "As there is no double value of the away goal does not change much. I think the Bernabeu is going to help us."

Questioned about his future and about the possibility of ending the season without winning one of the three most important titles (League, Cup or Champions League), Ancelotti admitted that if it were up to him he would continue all his life, but that "is impossible". "It's an assessment that the club has to make, not me. I have already said that I would stay all my life at the club, but that is impossible, it is a decision of the club. At the end of the season he will take it. Then my thought is that I want to continue and I hope so. I enjoy every day that the club wants me here, if they want me three months I will enjoy them, if it is for three years I will enjoy them. In the end, I will thank the club for a lifetime," he explained, before ending: "I am convinced that we are going to win something this season, then the issue is over."

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  • Vinicius Junior
  • Luka Modric
  • Joan Laporta
  • Real Madrid