Ancelotti lavishes praise on Vinicius Jr ahead of Valencia clash
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their first four LaLiga games and Vinicius Junior has been a driving force for Los Blancos this season.
Carlo Ancelotti deflected the credit for Vinicius Jr's upturn in form as Real Madrid prepare to face Valencia on Sunday.
Madrid boast the longest unbeaten streak in LaLiga, having gone 22 games without defeat but they have won only one of their last nine visits to Valencian sides in the top flight.
Vinicius has been an integral part of their positive start to this term, winning three and drawing one, as he has scored four times in as many appearances.
And while Ancelotti has been pleased with the Brazil forward's form, he has not been surprised by his impressive performances so far.
"At the game level I see a player with impressive one-on-one ability," Ancelotti told Saturday's news conference. "Today's Vinicius is the same that I saw when he was not here, what happens is that this season he started scoring and that has given him confidence. "I am not a magician, just a coach who has to give players the confidence they need to express their qualities."
"Vinicius has taken the team on our backs on several occasions and at this moment is what he has to do, when he is more veteran he will be able to put his character and experience."
And Ancelotti believes the future of Madrid is in safe hands with another Brazil youngster Rodyrgo coming through the ranks.
The 20-year-old has made four appearances this term, though he has not managed any goal involvements in those outings.
"Rodrygo is very fast, very complete and is very young," Ancelotti continued. "He is the present and the future of Real Madrid."