Every words of Carlo Ancelotti’s pre-match press conference ahead of the LaLiga Week 29 game: Cádiz vs Real Madrid

With a significant 13-point gap between his team and leaders Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid travel to Cádiz with the realisation that they are now out of the running for LaLiga - but that doesn’t mean they will be going through the motions in Saturday’s late game down on the south west coast, as always, Madrid set out to win every game even if it’s a lost cause.

Ancelotti previewed the match and answered questions on other subjects in his pre-match press conference.

Difficult game against a side who are 14th and in the relegation battle... how is your team physically?

They’re really well. It’s a difficult game because Cádiz are in good form, they’re playing well, they are an intense, demanding side so this game comes at an awkward time for us - immediately after a Champions League quarter final. So a difficult game but we are determined to put in a good game.

If Madrid eliminate Chelsea, the semi-final could be a duel between two of the most in-form players in Europe - Haaland and Vinicius. Would you swap Haaland for Vinicius?

[Laughs] What a question! They are both fantastic players, who make the most of their attributes. I coach Vinicius and try to get the best out of him and Guardiola does the same with Haaland, both of them have their qualities.

A lot of people are taking it is read that Madrid are in the Champions League semis and will face City...

No one knows yet - I don’t even think Manchester City are guaranteed to go through because they still have another game to play and anything can happen. Both of us, Madrid and City, have an advantage, but both of us have to compete for another 90 minutes.

After the Chelsea game, Emilio Butraguano said that you are “a winner” but decision will be made at the end of the season...

I’ve got nothing to say about that. Every day, the club, whether it’s Butragueño or the president, show me a lot of affection. I’m relaxed about the situation and very happy here. There’s nothing further to say other than what I already know, an extraordinary feeling of affection for which I am very happy here.

Vinicius and Kroos ruled out

Vinicius finished the Chelsea game with a strained adductor - a strain not an injury. And the same with Kroos. It’s too much risk to play them when we have a game on Tuesday. Some players are tired but will still make the trip. We’ll put out a competitive side. Both of them should be OK for Chelsea.

How do you motivate your team for a game like this? Especially the players who don’t feature very often?

By preparing for the game well. We have to respect the competition - even though we are at a disadvantage, we have to do the best we possibly can. There are nine games left to play. If we can’t finish first, we will battle to the end to make sure we finish second. The players understand that perfectly. Real Madrid is a club that demands that kind of attitude.

Madrid are in the Copa del Rey final and close to the Champions League semis, what mark out of ten would you give your team?

I don’t think you can give marks out of ten now, we have to wait until the end of the season to see what happens. Up until now, we have enjoyed success in some competitions, and not in others. And that’s football. We have to wait until the season is over - it could turn out to be a successful season or one with doubts.

How do you handle criticism, from the media and the fans?

I listen to criticism, it’s normal to get criticised. I think we have to live in a world in which we have to listen to what other people think - the fans, your club, your players... After that, some criticism is understandable and some isn’t. If it’s criticism which you can understand, it might help you to improve the job you do. Even negative criticism can give you a few ideas about how to do a better job.

In England, there is an opinion about who are the favourites to win this year’s Champions League. Does it annoy you when people cite City as the clear favourites?

It doesn’t bother me, because the truth is that there are several teams in England that compete well, they are very strong and have players who compete at a very high level - for all of that, I am not surprised that they are rated as favourites, like Manchester City is now. I could say that that there is a difference - European clubs are showing that the opposite is true. Last season, there were two Spanish clubs in the Champions League semi-finals, and this year there are three Italian sides in the quarter finals. European football is more competitive than many people think, especially the English, who think they have the strongest league, the most spectacular league in the world, but other European teams who have less money to invest, continue competing, like Italian football and Spanish football.

Hazard’s chances of playing on Saturday

From the start, I don’t know. He’s fine, he has the chance to play.

What part of your work for Madrid do you feel most proud of?

I feel proud about all of it. Up until now, it’s been a successful return. I hope it continues. I am very proud of everything I have achieved.

Supported by Florentino

I think so. The president has always been very kind to me and still is. We have to look forward. We will be here next season without any doubt because we are going to honour the contract.