Ancelotti: “It was a return to the clinical edge we almost always show up top'
'The forwards were clinical and thanks to that, it was a fairly straightforward game”, commented the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu following the clash with Valladolid on LaLiga matchday 27: 'Today marks the beginning of the closing stretch of the season, I said as much to the players. Last season, we were really struggling heading into this period but there's a very different feeling around the place this time, particularly given that clinical edge we almost always have up top has returned, having gone missing in recent games. The forwards were clinical and thanks to that, it was a fairly straightforward game'.
'The four guys up top did everything that was asked of them with the ball in every sense, but there is room for improvement without the ball. We work hard to generate mobility and breaks in the opposition defence. Karim hit three goals in seven minutes and showed he's in great shape. The work he's put in during the international break has really helped him'.
The efforts of the front four
'We started out with a 4-4-2, but then I switched Rodrygo's position and that changed the dynamic of the game, freeing Asensio up a bit. Valladolid played with five across the middle in the first half and it was best to put Rodrygo out wide because they were struggling to press out wide and Asensio had more freedom. We have to be aware that we won't always find the right balance if we play with four forwards'.
Rodrygo's position
“I wanted to change him but I decided to bring Vini Jr. off because he'd played more for Brazil. There is a possibility he plays against Barcelona. This isn't a normal knock-out game. We're trailing in the tie and we'll have to do something, well aware that we could end up playing more than 90 minutes. I'll be happy whether Rodrygo plays from the start or comes off the bench'.
'The four guys up top did everything that was asked of them with the ball in every sense, but there is room for improvement without the ball. We work hard to generate mobility and breaks in the opposition defence. Karim hit three goals in seven minutes and showed he's in great shape. The work he's put in during the international break has really helped him'.
The efforts of the front four
'We started out with a 4-4-2, but then I switched Rodrygo's position and that changed the dynamic of the game, freeing Asensio up a bit. Valladolid played with five across the middle in the first half and it was best to put Rodrygo out wide because they were struggling to press out wide and Asensio had more freedom. We have to be aware that we won't always find the right balance if we play with four forwards'.
Rodrygo's position
“I wanted to change him but I decided to bring Vini Jr. off because he'd played more for Brazil. There is a possibility he plays against Barcelona. This isn't a normal knock-out game. We're trailing in the tie and we'll have to do something, well aware that we could end up playing more than 90 minutes. I'll be happy whether Rodrygo plays from the start or comes off the bench'.
Copa Clásico second leg
“We're 100% ready. There are no doubts in our minds and we're only thinking about winning the game on Wednesday'.
Rüdiger's absence
“He felt better today, he didn't have any pain. We'll run tests on him tomorrow, I don't think it's a serious issue. He was walking fine today and we'll assess him after tomorrow's tests”.
His future
“I feel a sense of security from the players and the club. We can still fight to the end this year and I hope everything turns out as well as it did last year. I clarified yesterday that I won't be talking about my future because we have a press conference every three days and if we discuss my future every three days, you'll all get bored. I can't know what's going to happen in the future. My contract is up in 2024 and my intention is to see it out. If Real Madrid are happy with me, then we can continue until 2034”.
“We're 100% ready. There are no doubts in our minds and we're only thinking about winning the game on Wednesday'.
Rüdiger's absence
“He felt better today, he didn't have any pain. We'll run tests on him tomorrow, I don't think it's a serious issue. He was walking fine today and we'll assess him after tomorrow's tests”.
His future
“I feel a sense of security from the players and the club. We can still fight to the end this year and I hope everything turns out as well as it did last year. I clarified yesterday that I won't be talking about my future because we have a press conference every three days and if we discuss my future every three days, you'll all get bored. I can't know what's going to happen in the future. My contract is up in 2024 and my intention is to see it out. If Real Madrid are happy with me, then we can continue until 2034”.