On the eve of the La Liga resumption match against Las Palmas, Carlo Ancelotti answered numerous questions from journalists at his press conference. Less tense than in his previous appearances, the Real Madrid coach was transparent and pragmatic on a number of subjects: the form of his players, rivalry within the team and his own responsibilities.
How do you see the match against Las Palmas?
‘It’s a match like any other, we’ll have to fight hard and stay focused. We’re entering the second half of the season and we’re close to first place. Now is the time to pick up points to stay in the title race.
After his performance against Celta Vigo, does Endrick have a chance of starting?
‘He has a chance, but the idea is to field the players who are most used to these games. Mbappé is in great form and so is Rodrygo. For this match, I’m thinking of starting with Brahim, Mbappé and Rodrygo up front.
How would you rate Endrick’s progress?
‘He’s following exactly the path we imagined. He’s a very serious and professional lad, and he’s making the most of the minutes I’m giving him by scoring goals. We’ve always believed in his potential, while taking into account his learning process.’
Will David Alaba be available for this match?
‘He’s very close to a full return. He played 40 minutes yesterday (in training) and felt good. His knee injury seems to be behind him, even if he’s still lacking a bit of rhythm. He’ll be in the squad and could get a few minutes, but he won’t be starting.
What do you think of the criticism after your defeat to Barcelona?
‘Criticism is part of our job, and I accept it. The whistles were justified, but I don’t think the fans have forgotten what we’ve achieved in the past or what we can still achieve. I take responsibility for this defeat. As coach, my job is to ensure that the team plays good football. Sometimes that hasn’t been the case, but we’re working to improve.
How would you assess Kylian Mbappé’s development in your team?
‘I don’t know if he’s become a leader, but on the pitch he’s more focused on being decisive. Off the pitch, he is humble and exemplary. His adaptation is complete, and his level rises with every game. That helps us enormously.
You will be without Vinicius Jr against Las Palmas. Have you spoken to him about his recent sending-off?
‘We didn’t talk about it directly, but I think he learnt a lot from that situation. He’s a great player, and I’m convinced he’ll learn from it for the future.’
Diego Simeone recently made some controversial comments about the Copa del Rey matches. How do you respond to that?
‘These are things people say to attract attention. Everyone knows what Real Madrid represent in the history of football. Perhaps some past defeats against us have left painful wounds…’
The tight schedule leaves you little time to recover. How do you deal with that?
‘We lowered the intensity of training today. It was mainly tactical work. I’ve often criticised the schedule, but we have to adapt. Playing at 9.30pm in January doesn’t make much sense, but it’s not something we can control.’
Do you feel supported by the club’s management?
‘Absolutely. I’ve always had an excellent relationship with the management since I arrived. I feel supported at every stage, through the good times and the more difficult ones. I continue to work with them in complete confidence.
You are often criticised. Does that affect you?
‘Not at all. Criticism is part of the job. I don’t mind it, as long as it’s constructive. The important thing is to keep progressing and learning. When you think you know everything, that’s when you start to regress. That’s not my case, because I love discovering new things.
Once again, Carlo Ancelotti has demonstrated his ability to handle pressure while maintaining a climate of confidence within his team. The match against Las Palmas will be another opportunity for him to prove that Real Madrid remains a team ready to rise to any challenge.
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