With their backs against the wall after another defeat to Liverpool, Real Madrid are condemned to victory against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Faced with this real threat, Carlo Ancelotti appeared at a press conference. The Casa Blanca coach spoke to the media about all manner of subjects. Here are the highlights.
Carlo Ancelotti on Kylian Mbappé: ‘He’s doing well, he’s progressing. I want to give him the confidence that a new player needs. He’s done well in the last two games. He’s on a good run and he can be important for us.’
🚨⚪️ Ancelotti: “Kylian Mbappé is fine, he's improving”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 9, 2024
“I'm giving him the confidence he needs. He was good in the last two games. He's more active”. pic.twitter.com/RV1WdVIow6
Carlo Ancelotti reflects on his concerns: ‘Average level. He hasn’t dropped. We’re worried because we’re trying to worry the opposition. It happens on the eve of every match.
Ancelotti on his relationship with Real Madrid: ‘The coach hangs on if the club hangs on. It’s as simple as that. I can’t see any other recipe. The relationship between the coach and the club is important for success. If you succeed, it’s because the relationship is very good.
Ancelotti optimistic against Atalanta: ‘I have confidence in my team, in my players, and I’m convinced that they will continue to improve. We’ve had a fantastic year and we hope to end it in the best possible way. This could be the toughest match of the Champions League.
Carlo Ancelotti’s objective: ‘I’m not playing for more than three points. It’s going to be difficult and we’ll have to qualify for the play-offs if we manage to get through. It’s special to be back in Italy because I feel 100% Italian.’
Carlo Ancelotti on Atalanta: ‘They’ve done an incredible job. We’re still competing in Serie A and we’re doing an exceptional job. What’s more, new players arrive every year and continue to play at the highest level, which speaks volumes for the team and its organisation.
Ancelotti on the role of young players: ‘Endrick is staying here and so is Güler. I don’t know if they’ll get more minutes, they might need them. I always try to field the best team for each match. I try to field the best team to win the game. The best thing to do is to be patient with the young players because they bring enthusiasm, but sometimes they have to learn a lot of things that will come with time.
🚨⚪️ Carlo Ancelotti: “Endrick and Arda Güler will NOT leave Real Madrid. They will stay in January”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 9, 2024
“I have no prejudice against the youngsters. I have used many young players throughout my career”. pic.twitter.com/BKKO4Qxz1h
Ancelotti on resting players: ‘You can think about rotation when you have a full squad, but with injuries, it’s complicated to rotate players. Valverde is a special case because he has played as a full-back, a pivot, an inside-back and a winger. He is fundamental to this team.
Ancelotti has a message for Gasperini: ‘We’re friends. We’re good friends and we have a good relationship. He’s doing a perfect job at this club. He is capable of adapting well to the characteristics he has and looking for the beautiful game. His work is spectacular.’
Carlo Ancelotti on Jude Bellingham: ‘Not much has changed. We play with more mobility up front and he benefits from that. His attitude on the pitch has changed and he still contributes to defence and attack, even if he doesn’t score every game.
Carlo Ancelotti : Jude Bellingham has changed the dynamics of the team, We are playing better in front and with more mobility.
— Ria (@itsjudithworld) December 9, 2024
He has scored again and that’s important, but he has not changed his attitude on the field. Bellingham in the offensive and defensive aspect contributes… pic.twitter.com/chCopHl2h8
Ancelotti on Vinicius: ‘He’s doing well and we need to evaluate him in training, as well as Rodrygo. Bellingham is fine. The two doubts are Vinicius and Rodrygo. We’ll make a decision after training.
Ancelotti on the clash with Atalanta: ‘It’s a demanding match because Atalanta are doing very well. They’ve made a lot of progress since the Supercup. They’ve won a lot of games and they’re a very competitive opponent. We have the chance to pick up points and take advantage of these matches to qualify.
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