Carlo Ancelotti says Sepp Blatter would do well to count to 10 before speaking, as he looks ahead to Real Madrid’s meeting with Rayo Vallecano.
Blatter was filmed recently talking of his preference for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst labelling the Portuguese a ‘commander’.
Drawing the ire of the club and the player, the FIFA President did apologise, but for Madrid’s Coach, it came too late.
“The damage is done,” Ancelotti reflected to reporters today.
“All the responses have been good, but from time to time before speaking it is better to think and count to 10. I do it many times.”
The Italian was talking ahead of taking his Madrid side across town to Vallecas to play Rayo Vallecano on Saturday evening.
“I think that I will rotate some players for the game on Tuesday. I have players that are fresh. Tomorrow we need to play a game with intensity. Some players that have not played against Sevilla will play against Rayo.
“This is a derby, derbies are always particular games. The last five times Madrid has won but tomorrow will be a tough game. We hope to continue our form, which is not bad.
“Is Bale, Cristiano and Benzema my first-choice front-line? No. Di Maria can play in another position. While the three are very good players, I do not know if all three will play tomorrow.
“Tomorrow Xabi Alonso will begin the game, I do not know if he will play the whole game, but he will play.
“Varane? He has played two games and so we have to be careful. Tomorrow he will not play, but rest.”
Los Blancos head into the match off the back of an extraordinary 7-3 win over Sevilla in midweek.
“I prefer a game where Madrid can play well for 90 minutes, in attack and defence. Against Sevilla there were minutes where we could have been better defensively, we must not give the other team so many chances.
“Barca? I see them as strong as ever, they have a clear philosophy. Every team has flaws, but Barca have practically won every game. They are playing very well. I do not see many flaws.”
