REAL MADRID
Carlo Ancelotti’s pre-match press conference before Real Madrid’s LaLiga Santander game vs Getafe
The Italian spoke about Vinicius, Guardiola, being called ‘the best in the world’ and Militão vs Rüdiger against Manchester City.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti sat down in front of the press ahead of the upcoming LaLiga fixture against city rivals Getafe. The Italian’s side are straight back into battle after drawing 1-1 with Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, and will play Guardiola’s side next week to decide who makes it to the final.
For now, however, they have José Bordalás’ side to contend with in the league, a campaign which has been largely disappointing from a Real Madrid perspective, as enemies Barcelona are one win away from the title and Madrid themselves sit in third place, behind Atlético Madrid. As such, much of the focus falls naturally on the midweek fixture.
Ancelotti opened with team news, as it had been revealed that various players had not been present outside with the main group during the week’s sessions. “We are quite alright”, said Ancelotti, “some players took knocks on Tuesday: Benzema, Alaba and Rodrygo. Mendy and Ceballos are both back, they can play tomorrow. We will evaluate tomorrow. The team is fine.”
Ancelotti has doubts over Militão and Rüdiger vs Haaland
The manager was asked straight away about Tuesday’s game, and what lessons he learned from the match, but Ancelotti was not keen on focussing on the past, especially given the game on Saturday: “Tuesday’s game is not in my head today, but every game has a lot of phases. I think we played well offensively in the second half, when we had more of the ball. Talking about Tuesday is changing the focus.”
The Champions League tie was said by many to be a game of elite quality both on and off the pitch, with two legendary managers going head to head. Ancelotti, from his perspective, did not want to get drawn in on whether or not Pep Guardiola and himself are to be considered ‘the best in the world’, saying that “there are many more” who deserve to be there.
Despite Ancelotti’s insistence on Saturday’s game being important, the Champions League questions kept coming. The next one was related to whether Éder Militão, suspended for the first leg, would have any difficulties making it back into the starting XI, given how well Antonio Rüdiger played against City striker, Erling Haaland. The question asked whether Ancelotti had doubts over who to play, which the coach confirmed: “I think that the more doubts I have, the better”, he said, “This is a good sign. I will have doubts until the last minute on Wednesday.”
Courtois and Vinicius will play against Getafe
Finally, after exhausting all the possible avenues regarding the team’s European fixtures, Ancelotti was asked about whether or not Vinicius and Lunin will play against Getafe, albeit with one eye on next week. “Courtois will play tomorrow”, Ancelotti confirmed, somewhat surprisingly given the quick turnaround, “Vinicius too. I don’t know if from the start or not. It’s going to be a very competitive team. I’m not going to risk anything, because we have fresh players. [Getafe are] an opponent that are fighting for survival. It will be a demanding game, the team will be fresh and have energy. I’m not telling you the team as not to give an advantage to my friend, Bordalás.” Ancelotti expanded on Bordalás, saying that he likes “his way of understanding the game and life. We are friends. I wish him the best.”
The fact that Madrid’s season is arriving at the climax on the European stage and not in a domestic sense means that rotations are more likely, something which would potentially give Getafe an advantage, and even anger other teams fighting for their first division status. “I wouldn’t understand it”, said the Italian, “we don’t choose the games, we will try to win tomorrow with the best team possible. I want to preserve the players who are tired. The ones who are OK will be available... the players who are a doubt will not play, we have recovered well.”
‘I prefer a goalkeeper who is better with his hands than with his feet’
Rodrygo Goes has been one player who has made an impact on the starting XI this season and many people see him as undroppable. Ancelotti was asked about this perception and said that “the statistics show that Rodrygo has played in almost all the important games. He has progressed. The team manages very well playing with three true forwards. The same thing goes for Kroos as a pivot. Rodrygo has deserved it, as he brings a lot.”
Another player who has made headlines for good reasons is goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. Again, the Belgian made some tremendous saves in crucial moments for Madrid and the head coach recognised this fact: “he has enormous levels of quality as a goalkeeper”, said Ancelotti. “It is such good luck to have such quality. The other lucky aspect is having such a great goalkeeping coach like [Luis] Llopis. The work he does for the team is almost daily routine. We train with the ball out from the back we do specific work. The goalkeeper is important, but I always prefer a goalkeeper who is better with his hands than with his feet. Courtois does everything well.”
Vinicius ‘up there with the best’, says Carlo
Vinicius shone against City but his inclusion took him over 50 games played this season. Ancelotti recognised the fact that he is player that is rested the least. “He’s doing really well. It is important to thing individually that every player has their demands. He is happy, motivated. He brings a lot. He is in an amazing run of form.” Vinicius came up again in the questioning after it was revealed that the CIES () ranked him with the best in the world: “In this moment, if he’s not the best, then he’s up there. He brings a lot. He is very decisive”, said Ancelotti on the Brazilian.
Ancelotti continued on, talking about the mentality of the side in every game: “For us we demand to win every game; tomorrow is the same. It keeps you in a good frame of mind. It gives you the worry you need to compete.”
Before finishing, Ancelotti was asked about the futures of Ceballos and Asensio, two players who have been linked with moves away from the Spanish capital over recent days and weeks. “It’s a decision of the players”, he said, “they will take it soon.”
