Ancelotti grateful for Simeone praise after Madrid derby triumph

Carlo Ancelotti thanked Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone for praising Real Madrid’s defensive work after Los Blancos won Sunday’s derby.

Goals from Rodrygo and Federico Valverde in the first half sent Madrid on their way to a sixth win from as many league games this season.

Although Mario Hermoso pulled one back, before being sent off late on for two bookings, Madrid were good value for the win at the Civitas Metropolitano.

Simeone commended the work of Ancelotti in his post-match press conference, applauding Madrid’s defensive organisation in a “low block” and their effectiveness on the break, likening them to his 2013-14 title-winning Atletico side.

His comment claiming that critics accused that Atletico side of being “defensive” may have been interpreted by some as a backhanded compliment for Madrid, though Ancelotti decided not to take the cynical view.

“I think that in the first half we managed very well defensively at the start, then we were comfortable with the goals and in the second half we got rid of the idea of ​​​​doing damage,” Ancelotti said.

“It affected us because then we suffered at the end. Atletico pushed and created problems for us.

“Yes, we have defended with a low block and we are used to it. We removed the danger of [Atletico] breaking with [Antoine] Griezmann or Joao Felix. The low block allowed us to control them well.

9 – @realmadriden have won all nine of their games this season in all competitions, the third time they have won their first nine games in a single campaign after 1961/62 and 1968/69, when in both seasons they won their opening 11 games. Invincible. pic.twitter.com/NX4BBfHWXJ

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 18, 2022

“If Simeone says that we have defended well in a low block, I tell him thank you, it is a compliment.

“The ideal football is to score many goals and not concede, perfection does not exist.”

Madrid’s two goalscorers have emerged as key players this season, taking on greater responsibility after previously being deployed more like rotation options.

Rodrygo was starting in the injured Karim Benzema’s place in attack and led the line effectively, earning LaLiga’s MVP award for the match, and Ancelotti was eager to commend him and Valverde.

“Both of them are very special players because they are what the modern footballer has to be now, who must play in different positions, must have physique, technique,” Ancelotti added.

“Both of them have progressed a lot, and we are delighted because they are doing very well.”