Carlo Ancelotti prefers Champions League referees, noting that there is “less controversy and fewer VAR interventions.” This comment comes as Real Madrid prepares to face Manchester City in their playoff second leg, amidst ongoing disputes over LaLiga officiating.
Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium last week, with Jude Bellingham scoring a 92nd-minute winner. Ancelotti described this as giving the reigning champions a “small advantage” heading into Wednesday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
On Monday, Madrid executives met with Spanish refereeing officials to review audio recordings of a contentious decision in Madrid’s recent LaLiga defeat at Espanyol. This meeting followed an open letter from the club, asserting that Spain’s refereeing system was “completely discredited.”
“Yes,” Ancelotti said in a pre-match news conference on Tuesday, when asked if he “felt calmer” with Champions League officiating.
“I think there’s less controversy, and fewer VAR interventions. The VAR only intervenes when it’s necessary. In the Champions League, the best referees in each country officiate, so the quality is very high.”
Madrid have been unhappy with key decisions in their last three LaLiga games: the 1-0 loss at Espanyol, a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid, and Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna, where Bellingham was sent off.
“I’ve given my opinion about what’s happening,” Ancelotti said. “What’s happening is surprising, but I have nothing to add. Obviously we aren’t happy with what happened against Osasuna, Atlético … They were three games where we were hurt by decisions which I still don’t understand.”
Ancelotti said he was “hopeful” that Bellingham would escape a ban for his red card, with Madrid saying the referee was mistaken in his claim that the midfielder had insulted him.
The Italian confirmed that defender Antonio Rüdiger will be available for the City second leg — after missing out in Manchester — but said right-back Lucas Vázquez wasn’t ready to start.
He also rejected Pep Guardiola’s claim that City have a “1%” chance of progressing to the knockout phase.
“Tomorrow before the game, I’ll ask him if he really thinks that they have a 1% chance!” Ancelotti said. “We don’t think we have a 99% chance. We think we have a small advantage that we have to make the most of.”
“I’m happy with the game we played in the first leg,” Fede Valverde — who played out of position at right-back — added.
“I see how the team is playing, how we’ve been training. That makes you feel calm. You know the team will do well. It gives me confidence that we’ll go through.”
Valverde spoke up for referees in a news conference, which upset many Madrid fans.
On Tuesday, the versatile Uruguayan player went on social media to explain his remarks.
“I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me, but above all I want to clarify for our fans: If today I don’t talk about the refereeing we are suffering it is because I am aware myself, and I must focus on tomorrow,” he wrote.
“Everyone has seen what is happening to us in this league, and I haven’t forgotten it, but now we have to focus on tomorrow, and I will be 100% focused as I have always been.”