Ancelotti: “We made a big statement in LaLiga because Girona are a great side”

Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu to discuss the win over Girona on LaLiga matchday 24: “It was our best performance. A really complete display in every sense: defensively and going forward. It was a humble approach given the demands placed on us by the problems we had, and the crisis only boosted the team's defensive efforts. The strength of this team is how their commitment and attitude rise to match the demands of the game. Quality is the most important thing but if you can combine it with the right attitude and commitment, like we did today, you get a top-level performance."

“It is a big statement in the fight for LaLiga because Girona are a great team who hadn't lost away from home. The game plan was fairly simple: high press in the opposition half, man-to-man at times to wrest possession from Girona, and in our half we had to show patience and stay compact. Girona push really well with their full-backs but on the transitions we were able to hurt them with Vini Jr. and Rodrygo on the outside."

What do you mean by a humble approach?
“It's hard to keep running when you don't have the ball. This team has such quality on the ball but sometimes you struggle to make sacrifices without it. That sacrifice was clear for all to see tonight, including by the guys who made the difference like Vini Jr., Bellingham and Rodrygo”.

LaLiga
“We're a game and a draw ahead at this stage of the season, but that's all it is: a slight advantage. We're well placed. We've done a great job so far but the Champions League will add to our fatigue and we must continue to show commitment and the right attitude."

Bellingham
“Bellingham picked up a sprained ankle, they'll assess him tomorrow. I hope we can have him fit for Tuesday. There are games he hasn't been involved in and others have come in and contributed a lot, like Brahim and Joselu. We broke records for injuries today with four centre-backs out."

“There are things about the way he plays that remind me of Zidane, it's his extraordinary quality on the ball. Zidane may have been even better technically but Bellingham combines it with how he gets into the box. There are few players in the world who can match his movement for his first goal."

Praise for Vini Jr.
“He put in a top performance. He’s absolutely superb at this level. He's the best in the world when he plays like that. Bellingham is the second best, Rodrygo the third, Kroos the fourth, Camavinga, Valverde... It was easy to be in the Real Madrid dugout today." 

Camavinga playing inside
“Against Atlético we had two centre-backs who weren't so tall and I had a defensive midfielder to help defend crosses. With Tchouameni in there today, I didn't need a tall defensive midfielder. Camavinga was more useful in the centre of the park today."

Rüdiger's injury
“It was the knock he got against Getafe. It bruised up and caused a bit of a tear. He tried his best yesterday but he was struggling in the change of direction. He won't play on Tuesday but we've got Nacho back. I hope he'll be available again soon."

Carvajal at centre-back
“You can't coach him there at all. Tchouameni felt more comfortable on the right at centre-back, so he was on the left. It looked like he'd played 400 games as a centre half. There's nothing you can teach him, he's got it all."

Academy centre-backs
“The academy side has had injuries too. Marvel is out for a long time and Carrillo picked up a knock too. That's why we brought Jacobo in from the U19s, he has a bright future. Before I put these kinds of players in, I have to look at my squad first. In emergencies, Tchouameni can deputise brilliantly in defence because he's strong in the air and smart tactically. You have to be tactically aware.”

His work
“I do what I can, I try to get the best out of the squad and the group. It's a group that keeps me incredibly motivated because there's a great feeling there and I have immense respect for them. The key is always the players because when you have quality at your disposal, it's your job to make that come through to the group."

Champions League return
“We're pleased to be going back into the Champions League with a lead in LaLiga despite the difficulties we've had so far with injuries. We're really excited and we're up against opposition who we must be very careful of. We have to prepare every game like we did today.”

Mbappé
“The guys I have here are the best. You named a player who belongs to another team."


Enjoy the videos of the match on RM Play