Carlo Ancelotti expressed confidence on Friday that Real Madrid will not see a host of key players banned for their Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal.
On Thursday, UEFA announced it had opened an investigation into alleged misconduct from a series of Madrid players in the wake of their recent European win over Atletico Madrid.
Madrid eliminated their neighbours in a controversial Champions League last-16 penalty shoot-out, with Julian Alvarez seeing his successful kick disallowed after a VAR review ruled he had touched the ball twice.
Four Blancos players are being investigated over their conduct during the post-match celebrations, and Spanish media reports have said bans could be handed out.
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos are the players being probed, with the quartet at risk of being suspended for the quarter-final against Arsenal, which will take place over two legs on April 8 and April 16.
“We believe everything was correct, and we hope UEFA makes a decision, but we trust that everything will end well,” Ancelotti told reporters.
UEFA did not detail the incidents under review, but Spanish media reported Atletico had filed a complaint over Madrid’s players taunting their fans after the match, leading to objects being thrown at them.
“We are confident in UEFA’s verdict as the players had just celebrated. That’s it, we wait for verdict, but our players didn’t do anything wrong,” Ancelotti added.
The Italian also said his side would give everything to retain their LaLiga title, despite trailing leaders Barcelona in the standings by three points.
FOOTBALL AT THE BERNABÉU IS BACK! pic.twitter.com/OlRuJoulRG
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) March 28, 2025
They host Leganes in LaLiga on Saturday, while Barca face Girona a day later. Atletico, currently four points below Madrid in second, visit Espanyol on Saturday.
“Barcelona has an advantage, but we are going to fight until the end. I hope we have 17 matches [in all competitions] left until the end,” Ancelotti said.
Madrid will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for Saturday’s match due to a muscle strain, but Ancelotti hopes the Belgian – and other players – will be fit to face Arsenal.
“Courtois has a small issue, and we are trying to recover Ceballos and [Ferland] Mendy for the first leg against Arsenal,” Ancelotti said.
“The final stretch of the season starts now, and we have to do it right. The responsibility increases because every match could be decisive.”
