Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has this evening provided an insight into the thought process behind his decision not to even send Luka Modrić to warm up during his side’s meeting with Las Palmas.
Real, of course, were back in action a short time ago.
After being sent packing from the Copa del Rey last time out, Los Blancos turned their attentions back towards matters in La Liga, courtesy of a trip to Las Palmas.
Ancelotti and co. headed into proceedings in the knowledge that an eventual victory would see them leapfrog Girona back to the summit of the Spanish top-flight.
And, when all was said and done, this is precisely what they managed.
After Javier Muñoz put the evening’s hosts in front early in the 2nd-half, Vinícius Jr. levelled things up, before Aurélien Tchouameni completed the turnaround a little over five minutes from time.
Speaking to the media on the back of another crucial three-point haul for his side amid their pursuit of the La Liga title, Carlo Ancelotti, in turn, was drawn on a whole host of topics.
One came in the form of his personnel selections on Saturday.
Real’s boss opted to shake things up once more against Las Palmas, making use of the likes of Fran García and Brahim Díaz from the off.
Summer arrival Arda Güler, meanwhile, was at long last handed his La Liga bow.
One high-profile member of the capital giants’ squad, on the other hand, who was not afforded a single minute of action, comes in the form of Luka Modrić.
In fact, Croatian international Modrić was not even sent out to warm up alongside the rest of Real Madrid’s substitutes.
Carlo Ancelotti, as a result, was drawn on as much post-match.
And the Italian went on to reveal that his decision in fact came out of respect for the veteran midfielder:
“Luka Modrić? I respect him. I don’t want him to warm-up if I’m not sure that he will play. I respect him a lot. He’s fine and will be ready for the next game.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
