Carlo Ancelotti explains why Real Madrid are so far behind Barcelona in LaLiga

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti talked to the media after second-half goals from Nacho and Marco Asensio secured a 2-0 win against Cádiz, a result which leaves his team 10 points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who have played a game fewer. The Italian initially spoke in the mixed zone immediately after the final whistle but saved his most interesting comments for his official post-match press conference, in which he discussed the return leg of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final away to Chelsea and why his team were so far behind Barça at the top of the table.

What did Carlo Ancelotti say in the mixed zone after Real Madrid’s win over Cádiz?

Are you happy with how the game went?: “Yes, the team was committed. We weren’t clinical enough in the first half but I can’t complain. The team played very well”.

Can you believe you didn’t score earlier [than the 72nd minute]?: “Nobody could believe it. We scored our most difficult changes. The team showed energy, attitude, in a match that was a potential banana skin. We did well”.

Nacho’s versatility: “He played a half the left, a half on the right. The likes of Nacho, Ceballos and Asensio are vital members of the squad”.

Another goal for Asensio: “Asensio has been a difference-maker with his goals in a lot of matches. He’s done a great job for us. Rodrygo and Karim [Benzema] had the most chances and didn’t score. But they played fantastically well and deserved a goal. Especially Benzema, I thought he was great”.

What kind of physical shape is the team in?: “The team is in good shape, at a high level. Karim played 90 minutes on Wednesday, today too and he’s also ready for Tuesday”.

Will you be watching the Barcelona game tomorrow?: “Those who haven’t trained will train tomorrow. The day will end there for us. We’ll have a good training session and then get some rest”.

What did Carlo Ancelotti say in his post-match press conference after Real Madrid’s win over Cádiz?

What did you think of the overall performance?: “I’m pleased with it. It was a match at a very important time of the season. The attitude shown by the players was incredible”.

Does that change anything for Tuesday?: “This kind of game makes you think. Many players did exactly what they had to do. Tchouaméni played very well. Asensio... Karim, as always. It also gives you the peace of mind of knowing you have so many good options on the bench”.

Physical performance: “We are doing very well. The team has plenty of energy. We’ve seen that a 35-year-old [Benzema] can play superbly on Wednesday night and do the same again three days later. Karim is the sign that the team is physically fit”.

Does it anger you to be 10 points behind Barcelona when the team are playing so well?: “We could have done better. We really suffered because of all the games we had to play in January. We lost points that have really hampered us”.

Was it a risk to leave Benzema on for the full 90 minutes?: “I thought about that before the game but he looked fresh and in such good shape. I told him that I’d start him and take him off when he got tired but he was fine to play until the end. He linked up brilliantly with Rodrygo. It was a pleasure to watch and it made it hard for me to take him off”.

Will Vinícius Júnior and Toni Kroos return against Chelsea? “They’re going to play. They couldn’t play today because of knocks but they’ll be at their best for Tuesday”.