Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Real Madrid will be aiming to make it five wins on the bounce across all competitions when they lock horns with Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow.
Coming into the game on the back of a hard-fought 4-1 win over Espanyol this past weekend, Carlo Ancelotti & co. will be eager to keep their momentum going and close the gap to leaders Barcelona, who play Getafe on Wednesday.
Ahead of the game, Ancelotti spoke to the media in his press conference and issued important updates about the fitness of Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal as well as revealing plans for rotation.
“We’re in a good dynamic and it’s time to continue. But bearing in mind that in every game we have to compete, fight and suffer,” Ancelotti said about the team’s mindset heading into tomorrow’s match, to kick things off.
Injuries and rotations
Bellingham hurt his shoulder during the game against Espanyol, but the manager confirmed he will be ready to play tomorrow. However, Carvajal will not be available.
“The shoulder is the same as last year,” said Ancelotti about Bellingham’s condition.
“It’s recovered, although he has to have the protection, to be more secure. He can play and he will play. Carvajal needs a few more days.”
On being asked if Kylian Mbappe will play against Alaves tomorrow, Ancelotti responded in a cryptic manner, saying: “You’ll see tomorrow. But there will be some rotations.”
On whether Endrick will be getting his first start at Real Madrid after a series of impressive cameos off the bench, Ancelotti once again did not give anything away but praised the teenager’s adaptability and impact, saying:
“He’s doing well wherever he plays. Forward, winger… very well. Although he’s not a winger, but he can play on the inside very well. He can do well as a winger.”
On whether he has spoken to the 18-year-old, who could be nervous ahead of his first start for the team, Ancelotti replied:
“I spoke to him, like all the players. I ask him to be patient and he understands perfectly, because he trains and lives every day with the best strikers in the world. He understands his role, his role and I really say that he is gaining a lot of positions.
“His professionalism is very high, he is very mature. We are delighted. He’s going to play his minutes, his games.”
When once again probed if the Brazilian international will start, Ancelotti shot back, saying: “Again! (laughs) For me, they’re all starters!”
Dani Ceballos was spotted doing some work out on the field today and Ancelotti insisted that the injured midfielder’s recovery was progressing on the right track.
“He is recovering quite well, he ran for the first time today. He has a good feeling. He’s on the right track,” the manager commented.
Shedding light on the situation of another injured star, Eduardo Camavinga, Ancelotti confirmed that the plan is for him to return against Atletico Madrid.
“The idea is that he will train with the team on Thursday. We’ll rest on Wednesday… and I think he can play [vs Atletico],” the Italian said.
On being asked about Federico Valverde and his best position on the field, Ancelotti highlighted that the Uruguayan can play anywhere and that’s what makes him such a key cog in the side.
“Pivot, double pivot, winger, interior… his performance for the team, because that’s what he is, a team player, is fundamental,” he said.
There was also a lot of praise reserved for Ferland Mendy, who Ancelotti has time and again praised as the ‘best defensive left-back in the world’.
While an official confirmation of his contract renewal is yet to arrive, the manager confirmed it himself, saying:
“We are delighted here, he has renewed his contract. He is doing very well. His defensive level is at a very high level. It’s not that he has difficulties on the ball, it’s just that I don’t ask him to do the job that other full-backs do.
“We have a very strong left winger, so there is no need to ask him to do a lot offensively. He could do it, but we don’t ask him to do it. It’s better that he stays at the back because sometimes he has to work at the back.”
Team’s run of form
Real Madrid are yet to hit their best form so far this season and have often been slow to start games as indicated by the fact that 17 of their 18 goals scored have come in the second half.
Responding to that, Ancelotti said: “It’s a striking statistic and we talked about it before the game against Espanyol. We had to put in a bit more intensity, but we understood that teams also drop off in the second half and there are spaces there.”
Real Madrid have managed to string together an exceptional run of 38 games unbeaten in La Liga despite accusations that they ‘are not playing well’. On being asked about it, the manager said:
“I can’t explain it to you (laughs). For me it’s not like that, playing badly. The most striking thing is that Real Madrid, in these years, has not had a single identity. Low block, transitions, possession… everything.”
“The fact that we don’t have a clear identity makes you think that we don’t have ‘one game’. And it’s true. We have many,” he added.
On whether he attaches a lot of importance to such records, Ancelotti said: “There are very different records. Some are about winning and others are about not losing. We come from a very long streak and that means a lot of success, because draws often help a lot.
“I think that in football, if you can’t win, what you shouldn’t do is lose. A draw gives a better feeling than a defeat. Defeat gives you the chance to improve, that’s true. But the success of the Champions League in the past lies in our solidity, in the way we competed.
“It’s taken us a while to find this solidity at the start, but we’re going to find it, because the mental attitude of the players is very good.”
On his future
Tomorrow’s game will mark Ancelotti’s 300th match in charge at Real Madrid. Discussing what it means for him to be at the club, the Italian tactician said:
“I’ve been very lucky to have coached some great clubs, like Milan, who I’m particularly fond of. But Real Madrid is the best club in the world, there is no doubt about that. To be on this bench 300 times, I’m not saying it’s a miracle, but that’s where it’s at.”
When asked if he has set a date for his retirement or is taking things day by day, the Real Madrid boss replied:
“I don’t have a date, like nothing else. I like doing this job and my tiredness is not comparable to that of the players.
“I may have a mental one, which I don’t, because it’s true that there is pressure and responsibility, but I love it; and the players have many other things, like the physical. For now, I don’t have an expiry date. I’m still going. I would love to continue for many years.”
Meanwhile, Ancelotti also sent a message to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who suffered a serious injury last night while commenting on the overloaded fixture schedule, saying:
“I want to say that I’m very sad to see players as important as Ter Stegen, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, get injured. I hope he can recover soon.
“At the moment we can’t do much, because as I said nothing is going to change this season, but we can make a reflection. The world of football should do so.”
