Ancelotti affected by Valencia floods: “I don’t feel like talking about football”

The aftermath of the floods caused by Storm Dana which claimed the lives of 218 people - the majority in Valencia, with many still missing, has impacted all levels of society in Spain. Included the football community. Real Madrid were due to face Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday but the game was postponed in respect for the victims.

Carlo Ancelotti was visibly affected by the tragedy when he faced reporters in Real Madrid City on Monday to look ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with his former club AC Milan. The coach explained that football is meaningless when compared to the recent loss of lives, livelihoods and homes destroyed. He began by delivering a message to both the press room and everyone who has been affected.

“Good morning. It’s been a week of great tragedy and sadness. That is the prevailing emotion at this time. As a club, we are very close to Valencia and all of the towns that have been affected. We stand with them and hopefully, the situation can be turned around soon. I hope you understand that talking about football at this time is very difficult - as is playing football. We are a part of this country and we are deeply affected by what has happened. Out of respect for everyone, I will try to keep this press conference as simple as possible, because I am in no mood to be talking about football. Also, for me, tomorrow’s game is a special one. I will try to keep this brief and talk as little as possible. Thank You”.

Is it difficult to prepare for a game under these circumstances?

Yes, because it’s on your mind, you can’t focus on your work. What happened in Valencia was awful. We’ll prepare for the game because we’re professionals. We’ll try to play it and win it, obviously. That’s all we can do.

Was it the right call not to play last weekend’s game?

It was clear to everyone. Nobody wanted to play and I thought it was the right decision. But we didn’t make the decision, those in charge made it.

How are you feeling?

With little desire to talk about football. As I said, this is our job. We have an important game, a special game, against Milan, but football is of secondary importance.

Should football be helping those affected?

There are lots of ways of helping. Football had to stop at the weekend but after that football should offer help and support.

Do you think require a pause now and again? Is it obligatory to play games?

Football is a fiesta and you can celebrate and turn it into a party when things are going well. When your family is well and everyone else in your life. When people aren’t well, you can’t be partying. Football has to stop. At least that’s how it is for me. Because it become less important. But we cannot take decisions. We’re not the ones who are in charge.

How do you feel about being voted the best coach of the year?

I’m happy; the Ballon d’Or is over and we have to congratulate everyone who won.

How do you think the Dana tragedy has been handled by authorities in Spain?

It’s not for me to have an opinion about how this tragedy was handled. I have to do what I can to help.

Do you think the Valencia region has been abandoned?

They are very frustrated, which is understandable. But I’m not here to evaluate what the politicians have done this week. I don’t have the resources to do that. It’s difficult to think about something like this in this day and age, 2024. Here we are in 2024 with all the information we have at hand. You can find out the exact time it started to rain... And yet we can’t prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening...

Have you ever seen anything similar in your life?

I’ve read a lot about it, of course. It’s an incredible catastrophe. People are helping a lot. That’s what every citizen should do. Help all of those who are severely affected.

How is the squad?

It’s been a difficult week, the mood isn’t what we are used to. But not because of what happened at the Ballon d’Or. It’s over and that’s that. We congratulate those who won. That’s not why we are sad, we’re upset about what has happened in Spain.

How’s Vinicius after missing out on the Ballon d’Or?

The same as ever. He knows the situation. Luckily we didn’t play on Saturday and Vinicius has trained well, like everyone else.

What are your thoughts on the gulf between politicians and the citizens they serve?

Politics is very complicated, in every country, wherever you go. To give my views on this... Is politics to blame? I don’t know. But I can see the frustration of people who have lost everything they had.

Can you explain why football matches go ahead in situations like this?

I am not the right person to answer that. As they say, “The show must go on”, but it’s not really like that.

How is Vinicius in terms of spirits?

Vinicius is sad, like we all are, but not because of the Ballon d’Or, but because of seeing what’s happening in Valencia.