Gerardo Martino doesn't understand how European football works: Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has hit back at Gerardo Martino for questioning the efforts of Los Blancos to sign Gerath Bale for a record fee.

Bale is expected to complete his move to Real Madrid in a switch that could exceed £80 million, which is near to the fee the Spanish giants paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

Martino claimed on Saturday that the deal showed a lack of respect by the club under current economic conditions.

Ancelotti responded strongly by reminding the Argentinian of the 57m Euros they spent on recruiting Neymar.

“Martino hasn’t been here for very long and it seems to me that he still doesn’t understand how European football works, or even his own club who have bought important players for significant money,” said the Italian.

However, Ancelotti refused to comment on the Bale situation.

“I don’t want to speak about this for two reasons. Firstly, Gareth Bale is not a Real Madrid player at this moment and I have to have respect for my players that are here and preparing for this game tomorrow,” he said.

Real Madrid will face Granada on Monday night. Ancelotti also refused to comment about the return of Iker Casillas for the game.

“I am not going to say who will start, I prefer to speak with the players first and then take a decision,” he added.