MY ACCOUNT
Carlo Ancelotti praised the “spectacular” attitude of his Real Madrid side in a 2-0 LaLiga win at Cadiz.
Los Blancos dominated the game at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on Saturday, registering more shots than any other team in a LaLiga match this season, with 35 attempts.
Madrid had to wait until Nacho’s brilliant finish after 72 minutes to take the lead and Marco Asensio gave them breathing space four minutes later.
Vinicius Junior and Toni Kroos were not risked by Ancelotti ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Chelsea due to muscle strains, while Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga came off the bench.
Dani Carvajal and David Alaba were unused substitutes as Madrid prepared for the game at Stamford Bridge, which they will start with a 2-0 aggregate lead, by cutting Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to 10 points.
Madrid head coach Ancelotti said: “The biggest impression for me is how the team played. It was a match well played, at an important point of the season.
“It wasn’t easy preparing for it, but the players’ attitude was spectacular.”
Captain Karim Benzema failed to score despite having nine shots, hitting the crossbar from close range in the first half, but Ancelotti was impressed with the striker’s contribution.
He said: “I saw him look so well, so fresh. I told him, ‘I’ll put you in [the team] and I’ll take you off when you get tired’.
“I was a little sad because he didn’t score, but it was a pleasure to see him. It was difficult to remove him because I wanted to enjoy watching him.”
Ancelotti confirmed forward Vinicius and midfielder Kroos will be fit to face Chelsea in London.
He said: “They are here to play, they have already trained today and they will be at their best for Tuesday.”
