Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti offers Luka Modric hope in Almería pre-match press conference

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press ahead of his team’s LaLiga clash against Almería, just minutes after news had broken of an injury suffered by key man Luka Modric. Reports suggest that the midfielder will be out of action for two weeks, which would mean missing both the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna and the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City, although Ancelotti hasn’t completely ruled the Croat out of either fixture.

The Italian was once again asked to comment on the rough treatment Vinícius has received from LaLiga defenders this season, remained coy on the prospect of coaching Madrid target Erling Haaland and settled a question about his future…for now.

What are the main threats Almeria pose?

“They are a team that have a lot to play for... and they put opposing teams under a lot of pressure. That will be even more the case for us because we didn’t play well in Girona. Now, we have an opportunity to show that we can do better”.

Do you fear that a tackle could end up badly injuring Vinicius?

“We have that concern, it’s quite normal. He tries to take opposition players on one-on-one, he dribbles... and the only way to keep these kinds of players in the game - not just Vinicius - is with fairness. That’s the only way we can stop something bad from happening.”

How is Modric?

“He has picked up a small injury and we’re waiting to see how it progresses. I don’t know if he will be fit for the cup final, we’ll have to asses him. It’s a sore one for us, but these things happen. Hopefully he will recover”.

You said in Girona that “defensive commitment is the key”. How has the team responded to that?

“We’ve analysed things well and we know we didn’t do well there. We need to show better levels of concentration. The players understand that and things will be different tomorrow”.

How are you personally?

“I’m doing well. I’m an optimist and I think there’s a good atmosphere in the group, with plenty of motivation. It’s true that sometimes things happen that I don’t understand, like in Girona, but we must move forward with confidence. I think the players are in a good place. What happened last year was unforgettable and we want to repeat it”.

Why does the team have this “defensive commitment” in the Champions League and not in LaLiga?

“I don’t know, it’s a question of concentration. It’s normal to not always be at your best. Defending is about concentrating when you don’t have the ball. Our schedule is very demanding and I see a lot of coaches complaining about this. We are human and that’s the truth. I can’t prepare every game in the same way either. Sometimes you concentrate better and sometimes worse. It happens to everyone; you have good days and bad days”.

Does it bother you that you didn’t seriously challenge for the league title?

“I think it’s logical to think that, yes. We haven’t had consistency, we haven’t been strong... and when that happens, things don’t go well. But now is not the time to look back. There is still a lot to play for. A lot”.

Do you think it’s fair that your future at the club depends on winning the Champions League?

“That’s not the case. My future has already been decided…until 2024. After that, I don’t know”.

There will be three days between the Copa del Rey final and the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City. How do you prepare for that?

“After the final, we’ll stay over in Seville, so we don’t arrive home at 3-4am... we’ll return to Madrid on Sunday and on Monday we’ll prepare for the Champions League. That’s the way it is. It has been planned”.

If Modric isn’t fit for the cup final, who is the most similar alternative?

“In terms of playing characteristics, Ceballos. But in general we have a lot of options: Camavinga, Tchouaméni. There are many alternatives. Although he is an irreplaceable player because of his experience in these matches”.

Tomorrow will be your 1279th game as a manager: have you seen any other player suffer as much as Vinicius?

“On the one hand, there is what happens on the field and on the other, there is what happens off it. Off the field, it’s not a good look for our society, with racism still going on…a modern society can’t be like that. And on the field, the truth is that he gets kicked a lot, it’s obvious. Maradona and Pelé used to get kicked a lot too, unfortunately. Luckily for us, Vinicius is strong and is able to hold his own”.

Are you watching Haaland? Would you like to coach him?

“We are not thinking about the semi-final yet. We are thinking about playing a good game tomorrow, nothing else. City have a great team with very good players, that’s no secret. We played them last year and all I can say is that we’re going to enjoy that game”.

Is it more difficult to replace Militão or Modric?

“I don’t know, but we will probably have to replace both in the first leg. Militao for sure; hopefully not Modric...”.