Ancelotti: “Every trophy is important because they breed confidence'
“The key to beating Barcelona is not intensity, but producing a complete performance', added the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the media room at the King Fahd Stadium in the build-up to Real Madrid's Spanish Super Cup final clash with Barcelona Sunday, 8:00pm CET. The coach explained: “Every trophy is important at this club. They breed confidence, they help you keep going on the right track and foster a good atmosphere. There's a lot to play for in this match and we'll do all we can to win it'.
“We can weigh up how we're feeling about it, which is that every title is important. We fight for these moments, to be playing in finals. The team is motivated and feels comfortable. I've got players who are used to this kind of pressure, so we're feeling confident'.
Competing
“We're not thinking about winning every title. We're simply focused on competing in every competition and in every game. Now we have to think about this match and this title that we're playing for. We shouldn't get carried away with more difficult things. We have to take it one step at a time and head into the closing stretch of the season in a good position'.
Hunger for trophies
“We're talking about players didn't just win things last year, they starting doing so back in 2013. This squad have an incredible mentality and they're not done yet. This is a demanding place to be and it doesn't allow you to be content with what you have'.
State of the pitch
“I was pleased with the condition of the pitch. It's a difficult issue, the best pitch is ours at home. It might be a little hard here, but you can still play good football on it'.
Key elements
“I'm not sure intensity is the best way to beat Barcelona. We have to deliver a complete display both in attack and defence, both with pressing and on the counter. The key to beating Barcelona is not intensity, but producing a complete performance'.
Benzema
“Benzema is back. That fills us with confidence heading into the second half of the season. He looks motivated and is training well. He's a key player for us. The squad has done well to fill his boots early in the season but he'll be hugely important going forward'.
“We can weigh up how we're feeling about it, which is that every title is important. We fight for these moments, to be playing in finals. The team is motivated and feels comfortable. I've got players who are used to this kind of pressure, so we're feeling confident'.
Competing
“We're not thinking about winning every title. We're simply focused on competing in every competition and in every game. Now we have to think about this match and this title that we're playing for. We shouldn't get carried away with more difficult things. We have to take it one step at a time and head into the closing stretch of the season in a good position'.
Hunger for trophies
“We're talking about players didn't just win things last year, they starting doing so back in 2013. This squad have an incredible mentality and they're not done yet. This is a demanding place to be and it doesn't allow you to be content with what you have'.
State of the pitch
“I was pleased with the condition of the pitch. It's a difficult issue, the best pitch is ours at home. It might be a little hard here, but you can still play good football on it'.
Key elements
“I'm not sure intensity is the best way to beat Barcelona. We have to deliver a complete display both in attack and defence, both with pressing and on the counter. The key to beating Barcelona is not intensity, but producing a complete performance'.
Benzema
“Benzema is back. That fills us with confidence heading into the second half of the season. He looks motivated and is training well. He's a key player for us. The squad has done well to fill his boots early in the season but he'll be hugely important going forward'.
Fitness levels
“We're always concerned when we have injuries. We just have the two guys we've left in Madrid and Lucas Vázquez. Militão and Camavinga have recovered well and will train no problem at all. It's tough to recover from extra-time but we'll be fine in time for the game”.
Calendar
“It's a tough schedule but we don't need more players. We have great forwards. I saw Cristiano yesterday, he's happy, motivated and he likes the country. He seemed well and he made the right choice”.
Managing defeats
“The downside of being a coach is that as soon as you lose, you're in the spotlight. Xavi is well aware of that”.
Defence
“The main thing is just to defend better, we have to improve at the back. The block looked better against Valencia. We made a positional error for their goal because the diagonal caught out our centre backs. It's something we've seen, discussed and assessed. I hope it won't happen again. The diagonal between the two centre backs is a lifesaver and we forget that sometimes'.
“We're always concerned when we have injuries. We just have the two guys we've left in Madrid and Lucas Vázquez. Militão and Camavinga have recovered well and will train no problem at all. It's tough to recover from extra-time but we'll be fine in time for the game”.
Calendar
“It's a tough schedule but we don't need more players. We have great forwards. I saw Cristiano yesterday, he's happy, motivated and he likes the country. He seemed well and he made the right choice”.
Managing defeats
“The downside of being a coach is that as soon as you lose, you're in the spotlight. Xavi is well aware of that”.
Defence
“The main thing is just to defend better, we have to improve at the back. The block looked better against Valencia. We made a positional error for their goal because the diagonal caught out our centre backs. It's something we've seen, discussed and assessed. I hope it won't happen again. The diagonal between the two centre backs is a lifesaver and we forget that sometimes'.