'Real Madrid are not pressuring referees, we only want to change a broken system'

Liga leaders Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid on Saturday with one point separating them at the top of the Spanish flight. However, instead of talking about the derby's significance in the title race, the preview has been obscured by discussions on the controversy over the refereeing in last week's 1-0 loss to Espanyol and the subsequent complaint submitted by Real Madrid

'Los Blancos' were left furious after Romero was only booked for a cynical foul on Mbappe before going on to net the winner. Carlo Ancelotti expressed his frustration post-match, however, things were taken to the next level when Real Madrid filed a formal complaint asking the Spanish Football Federation for an "immediate submission of VAR audio" over two officiating decisions in the contest. La Liga president Javier Tebas addressed the situation by saying that the club "have lost their minds", prompting reporters to ask the Italian manager for a response.

"Before such an important match, I wouldn't like to touch on this subject," said Ancelotti during a press conference on Saturday. "Tebas can rest easy because nobody has lost their mind here. We are not pressuring the referees, we are only trying to improve a system that, from what I hear, nobody is happy with. The others are not happy because they think it is a system that favours Real Madrid, but when Madrid wants to change the system, the others want to reject it."

'A match to get the three points'

Ancelotti then went on to address questions on the upcoming derby as he said: "It will be a very important match for both teams, who are fighting to win the competition. The derby is always a special match, as always. We are playing against a very strong rival who is doing very well. It will be a competitive, even, and hard-fought game. We need the three points because they are important in La Liga. We haven't played our best against strong opponents, but tomorrow is a match to get the three points."