Ancelotti: “We did very well for an hour”

Ancelotti analysed Real Madrid's victory over Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu in LaLiga matchday 34. The coach had this to say from our stadium’s press room: “The game seemed to be over. We had the chance to score the fourth with Güler. Then we made the change because Asencio was tired and couldn't go on. We suffered a bit more than necessary. You have to take into account that with Asencio coming off, we were missing six defenders and we’re not always able to fix these things. But we did very well for an hour, we could have managed the lead a little better, but in the end it was a nice win.”
“Güler progression is a natural one for a player who wants to play for Madrid, who has a lot of quality, who has worked hard and has not lost his confidence. It’s clear that the Güler from September is not the Güler of today, he has changed a lot. His physical profile has also changed, he is much stronger and he still has the same quality. It has been a quite normal and natural progression for a young player at Real Madrid”.

Do you think that if Madrid win in Barcelona, they will win LaLiga?
“I don't know. Also, if we win, we’re a point behind. LaLiga is in Barcelona's hands, but we’ll have more chances if we’re able to win. It's a great opportunity. We're going to prepare well for Sunday's game, which I'm not saying will be decisive, but almost.”
Between the player and coach, how much sway does each one have when changing a player?
“I have the responsibility to try to manage the squad better, not the individual. It affects one player sometimes more than others. Here we’ve talked about Endrick, about very young players. The history of Real Madrid says that great players...you have to bide your time on the bench to be an undisputed starter at Real Madrid. Arda did very well last year, is doing better this year and will do better next year. He has the profile of a player who can be a starter at Real Madrid. The bench has been good for him, it hasn't bothered him, and he has progressed very well”.
Do you understand that there are some Madridistas who think that it is impossible to beat Barcelona at Montjuïc?
“We played the last game a week ago. It was a very competitive game and we came close to winning. We don't have to invent a lot of things. We’re going to play a serious game. It's very important. We're going to play with all the confidence in the world. Despite all the difficulties, we’re there and to be able to fight this match is something nice”.
Check out all the videos from this match on RM Play
Mbappé's display and the threat for Barcelona
“He's going to be a very important player in this match due to the fact that Barcelona play with a very high line. His runs in behind are going to be very important and decisive”.
Do you have a clear line-up for the Clásico?
“Yes, Rodrygo has a slight fever, but he will recover. We have a week, the time we need to prepare very well for the game”.
Penultimate play of the game between Bellingham and Vini Jr.
“He was tired at the end, it was the last play. It's not that he didn't want to give him the pass, he drove a little bit more and didn't see that the opponent was behind him. It's a play that can happen at the end of the game because of fatigue”.
Looking ahead to the Clásico, do you have any doubts that Güler can start?
“He can always play. He's going to compete to be in the starting eleven. There's no doubt about that”.
Have you ever had a goalkeeper as decisive as Courtois?
“Yes, I have a list... It's been a lucky career for me. I've had a very long list of goalkeepers, starting with Buffon. Cech, Neuer, Dida, Van der Sar, Casillas, Pickford. If I have to make the top list, Courtois is very high in the ranking. I have had the best in the world, like Perucci at Juventus, a very good list of goalkeepers and that's one of the reasons for my success, also the list of midfielders and strikers.”
How has Güler managed to succeed in the team?
“I see him being much better and with less responsibility than last year. Last year he seemed to have a lot of responsibility for his age. He’s handling it well. He’s calmer and much more confident. If he makes a mistake, it's not the end of the world. A few months ago, I called out those around him and now I have to congratulate them because they’ve done very well”.