Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti jokingly questioned whether his Paris Saint-Germain counterpart Mauricio Pochettino was telling the truth when the Argentine claimed Kylian Mbappe will “100 %” be in Paris next season.
Kylian Mbappe’s contract expired at Parc des Princes at the end of the campaign and is heavily linked with a move to Madrid.
Ancelotti was asked at a press conference on Friday before the Los Blancos LaLiga clash with Espanyol what he had done with Pochettino’s comments the day before.
“Pochettino said Kylian Mbappe will stay 100 percent? Sometimes coaches at a press conference can’t tell the whole truth,” he said with a laugh.
“I think every Madridist is thinking about LaLiga and the Champions League right now. That’s all.”
Madrid could take the trophy when they host Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, needing just one point to win what will be LaLiga’s 35th win in the club’s brilliant history.
Ancelotti could not confirm whether Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr would play any part but said he would not risk any player needing a rest before the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City next week.
“I think Benzema and Vinicius can rest, but I agree that if they are healthy they should play,” he said.
“If anyone needs rest I will give it to him but not because the game is easy. If there is a risk of injury he rests.”
The former PSG and Chelsea manager has admitted that he will have a select head to defend the game, with neither David Alaba, Eder Militao or Nacho available.
“We have problems with defense. I have to put [Jesus] Vallejo, who has played less. We have to pick another defender, which could be Casemiro.
“In my stomach I have options, with new players like [Eduardo] Camavinga and [Dani] Ceballos. [Marco] Asensio is still young and let’s see if Karim is young tomorrow. I have to prevent any tired player from getting hurt.”
Although Alaba will not be available, Ancelotti did not say he would return to the game against Man City, England’s leading team 4-3 in the first leg.
“Alaba will not be here tomorrow. We will see on Wednesday,” he added.
