Ancelotti: “We are confident of winning again”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at Real Madrid City ahead of the clash against Girona on matchday 24 of LaLiga (6.30pm CET): “It will be a demanding match against a team that has done better than everyone else, including Real Madrid. It's going to be tough, they're doing very well. We have a lot of respect for them. We are confident of winning again after drawing.”

“Whoever wins tomorrow will gain the advantage, but there is still a long way to go in the league. Both teams are very well positioned and tomorrow's game won't decide the league but who will have an advantage over the others. I don't think the league will be decided tomorrow no matter what happens. Both teams have high points and the sooner we get to 80 points, the sooner we can win the league. You don't win the league with 80 points, but if you get close as soon as possible, you're very close.”

Girona's billboard in the centre of Madrid
“Girona are very excited. They can win the game and top the league and their enthusiasm is important. We have to take it into account. And they also have the money to rent a space in Madrid, which isn't cheap.”

Míchel’s absence through suspension
“Football is about the players, but the coach's presence gives confidence to the team. However, it's not a determining factor. I wasn't there for two games and we won both of them. One in Vigo and the other with 8 goals. It's not decisive because football is about the players. Sometimes we coaches get carried away a bit in protest, but we need a bit more understanding because of the circumstances we're in. A little more understanding could allow him to be at the Bernabéu tomorrow.”

Girona and the City Group
“I don't give it any importance. They're a team in the domestic league who are doing very well. They're a strong competitor and the most dangerous at the moment. That's what I think now.”

Recoveries of Rüdiger and Vini Jr.
“Rüdiger trained for the first time today and felt good. Tomorrow he'll have another test, if he feels good he'll play and if not we can't risk him. The player's feeling counts. Let's see how he reacts tomorrow. Vini Jr. is fine.”

Nacho
“He started individual training today. It's an overload and he should be fine for Tuesday.”

Carvajal at centre-back
“I can't tell you much. Carvajal knows how a centre-back has to play and we work on it in training for as long as we can. In the last few games, on a smaller pitch, Carvajal has always played as a centre-back.”

Have Madrid been unlucky with injuries?
“We don't have this kind of feeling because that means you give up. We've never given up and the problems we've had have given us an opportunity to demonstrate strong motivation and strong commitment.”

The month of February
“January is a very tough month and we've coped well with it. In February the Champions League returns and it'll be another important month. We're in good shape and the team is in good condition. When Rüdiger returns, the centre-back emergency will be over and we'll be able to think about a positive February.”

Rodrygo
“If you tell someone to think of all the animals except a cat, they'll only think of the cat. He's contributing and playing and I've never and will never talk about the goals he doesn't score. The important thing is that he contributes to the team as he's contributing because he's doing a very good job.”

Kroos's mother and her comments about the German's renewal
“You always have to respect parents and this is something that is lacking in the new generations. It's a decision that he will make at the right time and in the best way. I think that if he retires he has character, he has guts.”

In goal
“This is an issue that came about with Kepa's absence in November. Lunin has played and contributed. It's not difficult to choose who plays but rather who is the replacement. I want them both to be involved because neither of them deserves to be the replacement.”

Miguel Gutiérrez
“Players in his condition are being monitored. He's made a lot of progress and this experience has been very good for him. He's contributing a lot and is a very important player in the team. In the summer, together with Girona and the player, we'll make the decision.

Blue cards
“The general idea of the rules is to try to simplify things and I don't know if this simplifies it. The rules are getting more complicated every year. I don't know if the blue card simplifies or complicates the referee's job.”

On the tackle on Mbappé in PSG’s last game
“I haven’t seen the tackle. I’ve only been watching the games in the Copa del Rey.”

Watch all the videos from this match on RM Play