Karim Benzema shoots with his left foot during the Champions League semi-final first leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on May 9, 2023.
Three days after a 4-0 win against Manchester City meant a Champions League semi-final defeat, Real Madrid’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti came out in defense of the aforementioned Frenchman Karim Benzema at the Etihad Stadium.
“There is no point in doubting Karim Benzema, a bad game may happen, it may happen, but he was not the only one. Karim will remain a very important player, a legend of this club, i.e. if he Doesn’t not be right in the game, nothing will happen to him. On Wednesday, not only Karim, the team was not right”, announced Ancelotti at the press conference this Saturday before the league match against Valencia.
Taking stock of the season four days into the season, the coach said, “The last game was terrible, it hurt us all, it’s been a good season so far and the last few seasons have been unforgettable.” The final of the Spanish Championship, Barcelona has already won.
“We are not satisfied with the league, but we are satisfied with the others, we have won the cup and we have fought until the last moment in the Champions League”, claimed ‘Caletto’.
On what the club is preparing for next season, Ancelotti explained: “To talk about what is going to happen next season, we have to wait a bit, it is not the time, we will talk about it with the club.” But for now, we have to evaluate what has happened in Wednesday’s match, in this season and in these two seasons. We are talking about it, but instead of saying That’s not what we’re talking about. We just appraise things.”.
Regarding his future and the Brazilian Football Confederation’s interest in signing him as the next Canarinha coach, Ancelotti stressed the same message in recent months: “I think everyone knows very well what my position is. Yes, I have a contract till 30th June 2024, and I want to terminate my contract”.
