Carlo Ancelotti has rejected the suggestion it was a surprise to field Angel Di Maria in Real Madrid’s Supercopa de Espana meeting with Atletico Madrid.
Di Maria has been strongly linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu but got a run-out in the 1-1 draw between the Copa del Rey holders and the League champions.
Ancelotti’s Atletico counterpart Diego Simeone suggested after the final whistle that Di Maria was Madrid’s best player and the Italian advised Cholo to have a closer look at the Madrid squad.
He also said that questions over Di Maria’s involvement were misguided as, after all, he remains a Madrid player.
“[Di Maria] is one of the great players Madrid have,” AS reports Ancelotti as saying at the post-match Press conference.
“Simeone saying he’s the best must have forgotten the Golden Ball [Cristiano Ronaldo], or Gareth Bale, who scored in the Champions League final in Lisbon.
“I’m lucky. I have a lot of great players.
“Di Maria is a Madrid player and I use him as I want. I think I say this every time.”
