Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended
Barcelona counterpart Luis Enrique in his
decision to rest Lionel Messi and Neymar on
Sunday.
Both players were afforded an extra two days'
break at Christmas and subsequently returned to
the club later than the rest of the squad.
Messi and Neymar were left on the bench at the
start of Barca's La Liga trip to Real Sociedad at
the weekend, but were called into action in the
second half as the visitors trailed 1-0.
Barca were unable to find an equaliser, however,
which led to Luis Enrique being questioned about
his decision to rest the pair.
But Ancelotti has backed the decision of his rival.
"I do not know the dressing room of Barcelona, I
cannot comment," he said.
"Everyone faces decisions regarding the
dressing room. Luis Enrique is best placed to
make those decisions, it looked like a fair one.
"I'm not happy [about what is happening at
Barca], because I have things to fix.
"I look at my own team, not what happens in
Barcelona. Let's just say that teams have
problems during the season."
Real next face city rivals Atletico Madrid in the
last 16 of the Copa del Rey, with the first leg to
come at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, and
Ancelotti is aware of what to expect.
"We know them very well. We have played
against them many times and often this season,"
he said.
"They are a tough team because they make
things difficult for you and they are well
organised.
"We have always tried our best to win. They are
one of the best teams in Europe."
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