Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday night’s game against Deportivo Alavés, and was asked how he can explain that his team have gone 38 league games without defeat, while they are accused of playing ‘badly’. The coach reacted, “I can’t explain it to you. 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 blocks, transitions, possession… everything. The fact that we don’t have a clear identity makes us think that we don’t have ‘a game’. And it is true. We have many.”
Ancelotti on the match
“We are in a good dynamic and it is time to continue. But bearing in mind that in every game we have to compete, fight and suffer.”
Ancelotti on Jude Bellingham’s shoulder
“The shoulder is the same as last year. It is recovered, although he must have the protection, to be more secure. He can and will play. Carvajal needs a few more days.”
Ancelotti on whether Kylian Mbappé will be rested
“You will see tomorrow. But there will be some rotations.”
Ancelotti on Endrick’s impact
“He is doing well wherever he plays. Forward, winger… very well. Although he is not a winger, but he can play inside very well. He can do well as a winger.”
Ancelotti on Dani Ceballos
“Recovering quite well, he ran for the first time today. He has a good feeling. He is on the right track.”
Ancelotti on 17 of 18 goals coming in the second half
“It is a striking fact and we talked about it before the match against Espanyol. We had to put in a little more intensity, but we understood that teams also drop off in the second half and there are spaces there.”
Ancelotti on Eduardo Camavinga’s return date
“The idea is that he will train with the team on Thursday. We will rest on Wednesday… and I think he can play.”
Ancelotti on 300 games at the club
“I have had the great fortune of coaching great clubs, such as Milan, which I have a special affection for. 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 is.”
Ancelotti on when he will retire
“I don’t have a date, as nothing else does. I like doing this job and my fatigue is not comparable to that of the players. I may have a mental one, which I don’t, because it is 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 expiration date. I’m still going. I would love to continue for many years.”
Ancelotti on how many injuries are needed for authorities to reconsider the schedule
“I want to say that I am very sad to see such important players like 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.”
Ancelotti on Fede Valverde’s best position
“Pivot, double pivot, winger, winger, interior… his performance for the team, because that is what he is, a team player, is fundamental. He has the ability to handle all situations well.”
Ancelotti on what he says to Endrick
“I talked 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 will play his minutes, his matches.”
Ancelotti on Ferland Mendy
“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 with 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 much offensively. He could do it, but we don’t ask him to do it. It’s better that he stays back because sometimes he has to work at the back.”
Ancelotti on whether Endrick will start against Alavés (for the third time)
“Again! These questions are all headlines to me!”
Ancelotti on a possible record unbeaten run in the league
“There are very different records. Some are of winning and others of not losing. We are coming 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 options 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 has taken us a while to find this solidity, but we are going to find it, because the mental attitude of the players is very good.”
