Ancelotti discusses Bellingham injury and Vinícius’ attitude before Real Madrid’s game against Braga

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti took part in a pre-match press conference ahead of his team’s Champions League Group C clash against Braga at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday. After three wins over the Portuguese side, Napoli and Union Berlin, Los Blancos know another victory will seal their spot in the knockout rounds with two matches left to play.

The Italian provided an update on the shoulder injury Jude Bellingham suffered in Sunday’s draw against Rayo Vallecano, discussed Vinícius’ attitude after the Brazilian was criticised by former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, and addressed concerns over his team’s lack of goals.

What did Ancelotti say in his Braga pre-match press conference?

Qualifying for the round of 16 as soon as possible: “It is important, being able to put the group to bed would be good. But we will have to fight hard for it, we recently played Braga and we know each other well. They are a good team that have come here to pick up points. We need to be at our best.”

Win or play well? “Win, win. It’s the only thing that matters. If you win, it’s good and if you draw or lose, it’s bad. If you play well, you normally win, but winning is the only thing a coach is judged on.”

Jude Bellingham fitness update

Bellingham: “He’s recovering well, he didn’t do the whole session today to avoid taking another knock, but he felt good. I’ll asses things with him tomorrow.”

Vinícius’ attitude after Puyol criticism

Vinicius: “If Puyol wants to talk to Vinícius, let him do it, he has a lot of experience. Vini is a difference-maker, that’s obvious. Maybe his attitude could be better in certain circumstances. But he has improved a lot, and continues to improve. We are delighted with him. He does his best, in the last few games he hasn’t quite been on top form, but he has improved a lot.”

A lack of goals: “It is difficult to say how many goals you have to score, I think the one that concedes the fewest wins. On average we score two per game, and I think we are more or less doing that now, which is important. You have to score more if you concede more, but the team has performed really well defensively this season. That means you don’t need to score so many goals.”

Critics: “I don’t think anyone is out to get me. I feel really loved whenever I meet a Madrid fan, and at the Bernabéu. And within the club. I don’t notice the criticism, I am very comfortable here.”

January transfer window plans

The winter transfer window: “I don’t think we will do anything in January. In the second part of the season, the injured players will return. I don’t know when, but before the end of the season. We are not going to do anything in winter... Hopefully next summer.”

Champions League favourites: “There are no big surprises, those who have fought for the trophy in the last few years are going to fight for it again. Bayern, City, PSG... Along with the Spanish teams.

What has happened to Brahim Díaz?

Brahim Díaz: “I’ve spoken with him. He hasn’t had a lot of game time, but I know he is a player who can contribute. There’s a lot of competition, but he is a player that I like. He is professional and will have a role to play. I have read somewhere that apparently I have something against him and that I’ve “sentenced” him (to not playing), which is not true. I’m not a judge, I don’t “sentence” anyone. I don’t like the sound of that. I feel something special towards Brahim, he has played for Milan.”

Forwards’ struggles in front of goal: “We have to be patient, forwards go through periods when they have lots of chances and don’t score. In others, all they need is one touch. Rodrygo is the player who shoots the most in LaLiga, his movement is good, he finds space in the box... We have to be patient, this spell will pass, as they all do.”

Endrick: “I’m not surprised that he was called up by Brazil, he is playing very well. It seems like just reward for a young player who is doing very well.”

The threat posed by Braga

Braga: “They played very well against us, they caused us a lot of problems. You have to defend well against them, if you take your foot off the gas and think the game is over, they come back at you. The defensive side of the game is very important against teams like that.”

Álvaro Djaló, Braga’s main dangerman: “We don’t focus too much on individuals, we prefer to look at the whole team and how they set up. Braga have a versatile forward line, with very fast players and a very tall centre-forward. Djaló is just a good player. Is just being good enough to win? I don’t think so. There are many other factors too.”