Ancelotti: “We have to be at our best and make the most of the lead we have in LaLiga"

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press at Real Madrid City on the eve of the LaLiga matchday 26 meeting with Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu (Sunday, 9:00 pm CET). The coach reflected: “The form we have to show against Sevilla is what we've been doing all season long, we'll have to be a solid, hungry and motivated unit. Sevilla are a team who will demand the best from us because they're on a good run in the second half of the season."

“We need the points to make the most of the advantage we've got. The team has worked well and we've had time to prepare for the match. I hope we can show our best tomorrow. We have built up a lead and we want to make it count. LaLiga is in our hands, we can't slip up so every game is important. Two weeks ago I said we were moving towards the 80-point mark, which brings us closer to the title. However, that doesn't mean we'll win it because we know we need more points than that. But we're close."

Rüdiger
“He's in great shape, he's recovered fully. He will play from the start tomorrow and it's nice to have him back. Tchouameni has done a great job in that position but having Antonio back will give us confidence."

Kroos' Germany return
“He told me he was going back to the Germany side. It won't affect his performances this season. Everyone here is focused on the campaign. As far as the future goes, it's impossible to say. His decision will not affect the high levels he is showing for Real Madrid."

Kroos' future
“I'm not going to give Kroos any advice about what he should do. He's not my son, I only give advice to my son. But he has all the mental capacity he needs to decide on his future. He's a very responsible guy and he has his ideas very clear in his mind. He'll stop when his levels drop off. He won't stop until he starts to feel that."

Mendy
“From a defensive perspective, he's our best full-back. He manages two-on-one situations brilliantly because he's got Vinicius in front of him with his incredible attacking ability. Mendy has everything to play at left-back. He has superb defensive quality and he deals fantastically with the overloads we have in that position at times."

Vini Jr.'s position
“Vini can play inside as well. Not as a centre-forward but as one of two forwards, of course. I have to bear in mind he prefers to play outside. He's improved a lot in terms of coming inside to lose his man. I want to play a player with his attributes where he feels most comfortable and right now, that's on the left wing."

Modrić and his future
“I don't know what Modrić will do about his future. I don't talk about personal things to the press. What everyone here wants, as does Modrić, is for him to continue being the wonderful player he has been, is and will continue to be. The player will decide what he does moving forward."

Arda Güler
“It's a matter of competition from his teammates. I have to pick eleven players. He's missed a long time through injury and he'll take longer to work his way into the team. He's very young, he has to be patient but he's already shown the levels required to play."

Sergio Ramos
“Ramos comes back tomorrow and the Bernabéu will give him the warmest of welcomes. He deserves it because he's a club legend. He's been a wonderful captain, an example, with his immense character and personality. I've worked with captains like Maldini and Terry too. These guys help create a fantastic atmosphere among the squad."

Would you play a double pivot with Kroos or Modrić?
“I could adapt to their attributes like I did with Donadoni and Rijkaard”.

Endrick's arrival at Real Madrid
“We haven't discussed that. When he comes in, he'll be with the first-team squad. You're talking a lot about the future and that pleases me. All I'm focused on is tomorrow's game. Who knows what will happen on Monday."

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