In a press conference ahead of the rescheduled 12th matchday of La Liga against FC Valencia, Carlo Ancelotti provided some clarifications on his team, which will have a lot to face at the start of the year.
Real Madrid will travel to Mestalla to face Valencia this Friday. While the La Liga teams return next week, both the Madrid club and Valencia will play their rescheduled match from the 12th matchday. Postponed due to the violent storms that shook the city of Valencia a few weeks ago, resulting in several lives lost and material damage, this match is crucial for both teams. Indeed, if Real Madrid wants to take the top spot in the standings with a win, the hosts must get back on track in the league and avoid relegation. This Thursday, Carlo Ancelotti shared some truths about this match-up.
The press conference
To start, the 65-year-old coach appeared very enthusiastic when talking about his players’ form. “We are embarking on a new challenge with great excitement. Valencia have changed their manager, and it has always been difficult for us to play against Valencia. We want to start the year well. It’s a very important match. The team is in good shape. The days off went well. Everyone has returned motivated and in top form,” said Carlo Ancelotti.
“We are thinking about what we will find on the pitch. An opponent who has changed coach, which could give the players extra motivation. For me, Baraja has done a fantastic job, but that happens in football. We expect a demanding match. We need to focus on the match and nothing else,” he added. After discussing the winter transfer window, which he doesn’t see as very important for the team, Ancelotti was alerted to the danger of the first matches of the year, which his team has struggled to negotiate in the past.
Carlo Ancelotti’s unexpected confession
In response to journalists who reminded him of the post-holiday defeats, notably against Getafe and the Valencia team, Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he had forgotten these crucial details. Grateful for the reminder, he plans to use it as additional motivation for the players. “Thank you for reminding me. I had forgotten. From what I’ve seen these days, I find the team motivated and focused. I will tell them tomorrow, it can be an extra motivation,” he revealed.
Finally, Carletto reassured everyone about Vinícius Júnior, who will return to one of the stadiums where he was negatively marked due to racist insults: “Vinícius is doing very well. The players had a good holiday. He’s fresh, enthusiastic, and motivated thanks to the rewards he has received in recent days. He is focused on making the difference tomorrow.“
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