Ancelotti: What Vinicius did is rare, and Rodrigo is injured

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti appeared in a press conference, after defeating Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in the third round of the Champions League, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The coach said: “We lived the matter calmly, and tried to think of a change in the second half. The team was more intense. In the first half we were timid. We did not put pressure on the ball. They scored two goals against us with few chances. It was very clear.” What we had to do. We did a good job in the second half. There was more pressure with the ball. We had the best second half of the season.”

He added: “Vinicius? I can say that it is rare to see a player do what he did in the second half, and apart from the goals, with energy and intensity, with an extraordinary personality, he will win the Ballon d'Or, not because of tonight, but because of last year. There are three goals that will help him win With the next Ballon d'Or, and I think it is known, they are calling you because you can make a difference. He is paying the price for the issue of racism, but I think he is respected in this country."

He continued: “We were very shy at first, and we had little strength. With low block, without pressure, they controlled well, we had chances, two crosses. But we were shy, we showed that we can play with more energy, with more risk. We have to apply pressure, and we have the ability to do that.”

He added: “What did you say at halftime? You said you might think coming back was just a dream, but we should focus on the small details. We don't miss passes, we make good crosses, we win duels, and when you win duels, the dynamics of the match change. And it changed with a score of 1-2.”

He stressed: “The playing system is not the most important thing, but rather the attitude of the players, with whatever system it is. If we play 4-4-2 in the first half, the same thing happens to us. I want to say that the most important thing is the behavior of the players.”

He continued: “It is difficult to say that we lack intensity. We have to learn from the second half, and play with intensity. The goal is Starting like this, not waiting until we concede two goals, I don't think we can play for 90 minutes like we played in the second half, but we have to achieve that by being a little more balanced. We are going to achieve that.”

He noted: “The second half taught us a lot. It could be an important moment in our season. I am satisfied. No one expected what we did in the second half, especially since the first half we were timid and did not control the game, but we woke up after the break and performed very well, in all aspects: strength, pressure. Quality... everything.”

And about Lucas Vazquez: “He scored the goal that turned the match upside down. I ask him to do something offensively and it costs him defensively, that's normal. But it gives us a lot of scope. He scored a great goal.”

He stressed: “In the first half there was a playing system, but there was a lack of pressure on the ball. Thus, they scored two goals against us without creating much danger. The team was also balanced in the first half, yes, but we lacked pressure.”

He concluded: “Rodrigo suffers from a muscle injury. He had an amazing start in the third goal shot. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is."