Carlo Ancelotti, at the press conference before the Real Madrid-Valencia match, talked about the multi-million-dollar offer from Arabia for Modric and Benzema, whose contract with the Whites will expire this summer. “I don’t know, I don’t want them to come first (laughs). Madrid legends must end in Madrid. I don’t think Modric or Benzema need my advice. On an offer from Arabia,” said the Italian.

The Madrid coach was concerned about the match load on a calendar he described as “incredible”. Dosing is very important because we have an incredible schedule. It doesn’t end here. And it doesn’t stop because Laliga wants theirs, the Federation wants theirs, FIFA wants theirs, UEFA wants theirs… You have to stop for a moment because if the players get tired we will have to turn it off. Calendar is a very serious matter. We must do something together to prevent this.”

When asked if he would trash any competition to reduce the number of games, Carletto was blunt: “Knock the competitions because it’s not. We are very close to championships with Champions League last 16 round, Cup semi-finals, Mundialito semi-finals, League struggle…. And we don’t throw any of them away because Real Madrid doesn’t throw away matches either.”

Ancelotti also touched on Premier’s economic dominance in the closing market in the last hours:We know what’s going on there with much higher television rights. It will continue to be so. Commonwealth rules and the Prime Minister follow it. It gives them an advantage. Still, the competition with them in Europe will not end.”

He also wanted to talk about Gattusso’s dismissal as Valencia coach: “For a manager, being sacked is part of his job. There is no manager who has not been fired. Maybe Pep, but one day they’ll kick him out. For example, they fired me from all over the world and here I am. (laughs). When a coach is fired, the goal is to change the dynamics of the team and put more responsibility on the players. Valencia we face will be super motivated.”