Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti offered classy support to his under fire FC Barcelona rival Xavi ... [+]
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti offered classy support to his under fire FC Barcelona rival Xavi Hernandez ahead of an away trip to Villarreal on Sunday.
RAC1 reported that Xavi will be dismissed in the coming days thanks to negative comments he made about the Catalans' financial predicament and the way it hampers being able to compete with Los Blancos.
The former midfielder said he is "not interested" in where this information has come from at a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
Over in the Spanish capital during his own sitdown with the media, Ancelotti offered support to Xavi and said he didn't want to comment on the matter.
"I have a lot of respect for him, as a person and as a coach. For the work he's doing, it's a very good job. I wish him all the best for the future," the Italian stated.
While Barca will finish the season trophyless, Madrid enjoys a different reality after having wrested back the La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles from its arch nemesis.
The club from the capital is also closing in on an unprecedented 15th Champions League crown, and Ancelotti said he has "no doubt" about "what I need to do until June 1" when his side takes on Borussia Dortmund in the decider at Wembley.
Ancelotti said that this is "to prepare everyone as best I can" and then "make the right decision".
"We've rested and now we have two weeks to get the team ready for the final," he added.
"The best way to prepare for the final is to play at 100%. We did very well against Granada and Alaves. This will also be the case in Villarreal," Ancelotti continued.
"I've spoken very little in these last two games, we've scored nine goals and conceded zero. I'm thinking of talking even less, things are going well."
Again probed on who he will choose between goalkeepers Andriy Lunin and Thibaut Courtois in London, Ancelotti said for him such a debate "doesn't exist".
"Lunin has had a fantastic season and Courtois is getting back to what he was before - the best in the world," Ancelotti stated.
