Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ancelotti: Olmo clearance doesn't mar LaLiga

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Friday, 04 April 2025 14:33

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti does not believe the decision to allow Barcelona's Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor to continue playing for the club will taint any competition, with his team potentially facing Barça for three trophies.

Spain's sports ministry (CSD) ruled on Thursday that Olmo and Víctor can continue to play for Barcelona for the remainder of the season despite opposition from both LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Madrid are three points behind leaders Barcelona in LaLiga, and will also face the Catalan outfit in the Copa del Rey final on April 26.

The two teams are also still alive in the Champions League.

Asked in Friday's news conference if the CSD's decision adulterates the competitions, Ancelotti said: "No, I don't believe so. We are happy to play in a great [Copa del Rey] final and be closer to another aim. We have a lot of respect for Barcelona just as they have for us. Barcelona are playing well, they are in a good dynamic."

Madrid drew 4-4 against Real Sociedad in extra time on Tuesday for a 5-4 aggregate win to reach the Copa del Rey final.

Despite Madrid having a busy calendar with four games in the space of 11 days, Ancelotti is confident.

Los Blancos play at Valencia in LaLiga on Saturday before facing Arsenal in next week's Champions League quarterfinal fist leg.

"We have to be optimistic," Ancelotti said. "The team is fighting, we are alive in every competition. We are very close. We have confidence also because the experience we've had in the past. We are motivated. It's an important time of the season.

"I think we have improved and are playing better as a team."

Ancelotti, meanwhile, played down reports that Madrid are having a goalkeeping crisis and expects Thibaut Courtois to be fit to face Arsenal..

Courtois has missed Madrid's last two games having returned from international duty with Belgium with a muscular problem while Andriy Lunin, who started for Madrid in midweek, picked up a muscular problem.

"We are not worried at all," Ancelotti said. "Courtois is a lot better. We believe he can be available for Tuesday's game. Lunin is going to have a test later today having picked up a minor problem and if he can't play, we have plenty of faith in [third-choice goalkeeper] Fran [González]. He is young [aged 19]. We are all convinced he has a great future ahead."

Also on Friday, Antonio Rüdiger and Kylian Mbappé were cleared by UEFA to play against Arsenal.

UEFA had launched an investigation last week into the behaviour of Rüdiger and his teammates Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Dani Ceballos during their team's Champions League penalty shootout win at Atlético Madrid on March 12.

Read 49 times

Soccer

Szczesny on smoking: Don't follow my example

Szczesny on smoking: Don't follow my example

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny told ESPN he has lost his ba...

Barcelona's Szczesny: Outspoken, unorthodox, on course for his best-ever season

Barcelona's Szczesny: Outspoken, unorthodox, on course for his best-ever season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBARCELONA -- Wojciech Szczesny wouldn't have believed you if you'd...

Source: Bayern's Müller rejects Cincinnati offer

Source: Bayern's Müller rejects Cincinnati offer

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBayern Munich midfielder/forward Thomas Müller has rejected a contr...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Tatum doubtful for Game 3, wrist bruise 'severe'

Tatum doubtful for Game 3, wrist bruise 'severe'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJayson Tatum remains listed as doubtful for the Boston Celtics, mea...

Kobe debut Lakers jersey sells for record $7M

Kobe debut Lakers jersey sells for record $7M

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA jersey photo-matched to seven games in Kobe Bryant's 1996-97 rook...

Baseball

Rays lose rookie OF Mangum to strained groin

Rays lose rookie OF Mangum to strained groin

EmailPrintPHOENIX -- The Tampa Bay Rays placed rookie outfielder Jake Mangum on the 10-day injured l...

Mets' McNeil back from season-opening IL stint

Mets' McNeil back from season-opening IL stint

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe New York Mets activated former batting champion Jeff McNeil fro...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated