‘We need to rest’ – Ancelotti Targets Liverpool Champions League Final After Real Madrid Derby Loss

‘We need to rest’ – Ancelotti Targets Liverpool Champions League Final After Real Madrid Derby Loss

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has explained why he fielded a much-changed squad in the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

According to the Italian manager, he played a mix of key players and bit-part players because the squad needed to take a break with an eye on the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool.

Real Madrid lost the match by a lone goal courtesy of a Yannick Carrasco 40th-minute penalty, the first time the Los Blancos would lose at the newly-built Wanda Metropolitano.

We need to prevent problems – Ancelotti

As reported by Real Madrid’s official Twitter account, the league-winning manager stated that resting the players was important in a bid to avoid problems.

“We needed to rest players to prevent possible problems,” Ancelotti simply explained.

This is perhaps in view of their upcoming Champions League final against Liverpool later this month on May 28 at the Stade de France.

Vazquez praises Real Madrid players for ‘showing character’

Real Madrid player Lucas Vazquez stated that the team gave a good account of themselves against the last season’s Champions at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday night.

Vazquez told the Real Madrid official Twitter account: “The team stood up and showed character throughout.”

Vazquez played the full 90 minutes for Real Madrid on Sunday night, starting only his 18th league match of the season as he filled in for Daniel Carvajal on the right side of the defence.