Carlo Ancelotti has stressed that form counts for little amid the “special tension” of a Madrid derby as Real and Atletico prepare to clash at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday.
The two sides head into the game on the back of contrasting fortunes, with Ancelotti’s Real having reeled off five straight wins to kick off the LaLiga season as well as getting their Champions League campaign under way with victory over Union Berlin.
Atletico, meanwhile, limp into the game still shellshocked by goalkeeper Ivan Provedel’s late equaliser for Lazio in their midweek Champions League clash, which swiftly followed their 3-0 domestic loss at Valencia last week.
“I think the derby is always a great opportunity, whether you’re in a good moment or a bad one,” said Ancelotti.
“A derby is always a special game. We like to prepare for these games and be the stars. There is a special tension and we’re excited to do all we can to be the stars.”
Ancelotti has named Vinicius Jr in his squad after the Brazilian made a faster than expected recovery from a calf strain sustained in the win over Celta Vigo last month.
The initial prognosis ruled the player out for six weeks but Ancelotti bridled at suggestions that he may have taken an unnecessary risk in naming the winger in his squad ahead of schedule.
“There is zero risk,” Ancelotti insisted. “He trained because there is zero risk. If we think there is one per cent risk, he won’t play. What’s important is that Vinicius has recovered. I’ve told him he will be missing some conditioning after a month out, but we will evaluate it tomorrow.”
There was also encouraging news over in-form England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has made a full recovery after missing training on Thursday with a minor stomach complaint.
Ancelotti alluded to the midfield riches at his disposal that have helped extend his side’s perfect start, and said his big names should not take it personally if they are subject to rotation or substitution.
“Leaving not only (Toni) Kroos or (Luka) Modric on the bench is hard, and the same for (Federico) Valverde,” added Ancelotti.
“The competition in midfield is strong and the reflection with the team is when we make a change, the player coming off is sad.
“I understand that you come off sad because you think I’m changing you because you’re not playing well. But very often it’s because I have resources and I want to put someone on fresh. I tell them only to be sad if they haven’t given 100 per cent.”
I don’t know what to say – Sarina Wiegman stunned by Nations League finale
Sarina Wiegman was left almost speechless with disappointment after England’s 6-0 win over Scotland was still not enough to make the Nations League knockout stages as Team GB’s hopes of reaching next summer’s Olympic Games also ended.
Pedro Martinez Losa’s side, already relegated from League A1, were swept aside at Hampden Park but the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Belgium saw them top the group.
Defender Alex Greenwood headed the opener after 12 minutes and two goals in a minute by Lauren James and another by Beth Mead just before the break had the game over by half-time.
Striker Fran Kirby added a fifth with Lucy Bronze heading in what looked a crucial final goal in the third minute of added time – but Damaris Egurrola’s late brace for the Netherlands meant they pipped Wiegman’s side on goal difference.
Wiegman, whose side was the nominated nation on behalf of Team GB for Paris next year and needed to win the group, was on the Hampden pitch with her players after the game when the Dutch, whom they beat 3-2 on Friday, scored their crucial fourth.
She said: “Of course I am very very disappointed. That’s the biggest emotion I have now.
“We delivered tonight and we delivered this December camp, the team showed lots of character, in this game too and we started the game really well, scored four goals in the first half.
“When Lucy scored I said to the players that we are going to get this.
“Netherlands scored in the late seconds and that’s how close it was.
“We were waiting, long minutes but we really thought we got it and then we didn’t make it I said I actually don’t know what to say.
“I am really proud of the performance and what we did this whole week but it was not enough and it is really disappointing and you don’t really have to say anything more.
“If you don’t get through in goal difference then it is just not enough, that’s the facts. But that’s football.”
Martinez Losa was similarly taken aback by what he had witnessed but for different reasons.
He said: “We have to apologise to the fans, this was not what they expected.
“We lost concentration in the first half after we conceded the first goal, we were out of the game at half-time.
“I will never be embarrassed about the team, about the players, but it was not the performance we were expecting for our fans.
“England were at a good level and took advantage of their good moments.
“One of the consequences of the result is because we wanted to win the game. We pressed England high as well as they did. Some moments we were doing things well.
“After the four goals it was difficult for our players to come back.
“I considered [making first-half subs] but didn’t do it because in the end, the responsibility of the team is with myself. I respect the team, I understand for the players that it is a big occasion and I wanted to wait until half-time.”
Billy Heath still hoping Alfreton can make FA Cup third round after Walsall draw
Alfreton boss Billy Heath believes his players can still become the first in the club’s history to reach the FA Cup third round.
The Derbyshire part-timers fought out a 0-0 home draw with League Two Walsall, with Heath arguing that his outfit were the better team against a side that ply their trade two divisions higher.
He went on to admit that a replay in the Midlands represents a tougher proposition, but feels that his “magnificent” side remain capable of progressing with Championship Southampton awaiting the victors at St Mary’s.
“It was a close game and both teams had chances, but I thought we edged it,” Heath said.
“We had a bit more goalmouth action and our two chances were the most clear-cut opportunities to score, so we are disappointed with that, but the players were magnificent and we really gave as good as we got.
“We’ve also got to remind ourselves that some of our players were at work today and some were stuck in traffic and nearly didn’t get here, so it’s fantastic what they have achieved tonight.
“Hopefully they will get more credit than we get in the league now, because we have some really good individuals with great character.
“They have shown that in this tie and we are still in it, which is the main thing. It will be even more difficult at their place but we won’t be going there to go out with a whimper and still think we can win the tie.”
Walsall boss Mat Sadler was subjected to chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” by unimpressed away fans, who have seen their team win just once in nine contests – against Isthmian League minnows Sheppey United in the previous round.
The Saddlers have also failed to net in three successive matches, but an under-pressure Sadler declared that he was pleased with the manner in which his team did not buckle in the face of repeated long throws into their box from home midfielder Adam Lund.
“You have to respect whatever the supporters are saying, but we have had a tough spell with injuries and I’m pleased with how incredibly hard the team we put out worked tonight,” Sadler insisted.
“We had some good moments and controlled long parts of the game, so there were plenty of positives but we didn’t quite have that bit at the end, which is not happening for us at the moment.
“It will come and sometimes you just need a goal to go off somebody’s backside, earlobe or whatever. But we also showed great resilience to deal with their long throw, which is a hell of a weapon.
“Fair play to them – they use it well and use it from everywhere, but we stood up to that and it was a very competitive cup tie.”
Stuart Kettlewell says sorry to Motherwell fans after Ross County loss
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell expressed his “shame” after a 3-0 defeat against former club Ross County.
Kettlewell held his hands up in apology to the 94 travelling fans who braved the wintry conditions to witness their side go 12 cinch Premiership games without a victory.
Simon Murray headed County in front from a corner inside two minutes as Well lost the first goal for the 11th time in their barren run.
Yan Dhanda curled home from 22 yards inside 18 minutes and Ben Purrington knocked home a rebound in the second half as a static Motherwell defence was beaten again.
Kettlewell, who saw Calum Butcher and Dan Casey pick up injuries, the latter a serious one, said: “Everyone knows how difficult that road can be in winter and how far away it is and we had a group of fans who came up here to support the team in the hope we’d put on a performance, and it was miles away from what it has to be when people spend that cash and time to come up here.
“And there’s a bit of shame in that when you see people travelling up here and that’s the level they get.
“I feel very, very sorry for the supporters that came here because, having seen it, the better decision would be to stay in the house.
“The level of performance was so far removed from where it needs to be to be competitive in this league.
“Then add in the injuries to Butcher and Casey, when you piece all that together along with the troubles and difficult run we’re on, that makes it the toughest ever game for me to watch.”
Motherwell have only collected four points out of a possible 36.
Kettlewell said: “You have to scrap and fight your way out of it and I didn’t see an awful lot of that in the first 45 minutes in particular. You can see the dent it has conceding that early goal.
“So much of it becomes that mentality, a little bit of fear coming in and people maybe not looking for the ball.
“You have to have belief in yourself, envisage there’s a way out of it and trust in the guys around about you to make sure that happens.
“My greatest frustration is I’m dealing with a group of players who have shown that in spade loads during my time at the club and for whatever reason at this minute in time it’s coming up seriously short.”
Casey was carried off on a stretcher after the final whistle.
“It looks a real bad one,” Kettlewell said.
“He has a brace in his leg and it looks like he is heading to hospital. I think he said he felt some sort of crack in his leg.”
County made it seven points and three clean sheets from three matches since Derek Adams returned as manager.
Adams, who saw Will Nightingale sent off in stoppage time, said: “The confidence is there – we played on the front foot – and I thought defensively we were good.
“We stepped forward with the ball and created some really good movements in the game. We were unfortunate not to score more.”
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