Ancelotti: “It would be significant to secure qualification in four matches”
'Braga they're a good team who are coming to the Bernabéu looking to take points', added the coach.
Carlos Ancelotti responded to questions from the media at the press conference that took place the day before the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Braga Wednesday, 9pm. The coach looked ahead to the game: 'It would be significant, at this stage of the season, to wrap up the group stage in four games. It would be good. We will have to fight to win this game. We played against Braga recently, both sides know each other well and we have to remember that they're a good team who are coming to the Bernabéu looking to take points. We need to be at our best'.
'Braga played very well against us in the first game. They showed their quality in the game. If we don't defend well, what happened to us in the last 30 minutes there will happen again. When we lowered our guard we thought the game was over and Braga got back into the match. It's the same tomorrow. The defensive aspect is very important against a team like Braga'.
Braga's strengths
'We don't concentrate on individuals. We look at team play and their organisation, both in attack and defence. Braga's forwards are fast players. They've got a forward who is tall and strong in the air. They play good football in general. We won't just have to play well, we'll have to do a lot more than that'.
Win or play well
'If it's between winning and playing well, I prefer to win. It's the only thing a coach is judged on. I'm sure that in 80 per cent of the games where you play well, you win them.'
Bellignham
'I don't know if he'll play. He trained today which means he's comfortable. He has recovered well and felt good in all the movements he made. I'll evaluate it with him tomorrow'.
Vini Jr.
'If Puyol wants to talk to Vinicius, let him talk to him. He's still making a difference. He may need to improve his attitude in some situations, but he has improved a lot and keeps on improving. We're delighted with him, and with what he does on the pitch, which is playing football. He's been out of sorts at times in recent games, but his attitude has improved a lot over the years'.
Goals
'It's too difficult to predict how many goals you have to score to win. Over time, this team has scored an average of two goals per game. I haven't checked the statistics this year, but in this first part of the season we've scored two and a bit per game. We've improved a lot defensively, we've kept a lot of clean sheets'.
Criticism
'I feel very much loved by the fans. They show me a lot of love at the Bernabéu and the club, they show me every day. I don't really feel all the criticism. I feel very comfortable at Real Madrid'.
Winter transfer market
'We don't have any plans for the winter and we don't need them. We have to bear in mind that in the second half of the season Courtois and Militão will be back. They will be back for the final part of the season'.
'Braga played very well against us in the first game. They showed their quality in the game. If we don't defend well, what happened to us in the last 30 minutes there will happen again. When we lowered our guard we thought the game was over and Braga got back into the match. It's the same tomorrow. The defensive aspect is very important against a team like Braga'.
Braga's strengths
'We don't concentrate on individuals. We look at team play and their organisation, both in attack and defence. Braga's forwards are fast players. They've got a forward who is tall and strong in the air. They play good football in general. We won't just have to play well, we'll have to do a lot more than that'.
Win or play well
'If it's between winning and playing well, I prefer to win. It's the only thing a coach is judged on. I'm sure that in 80 per cent of the games where you play well, you win them.'
Bellignham
'I don't know if he'll play. He trained today which means he's comfortable. He has recovered well and felt good in all the movements he made. I'll evaluate it with him tomorrow'.
Vini Jr.
'If Puyol wants to talk to Vinicius, let him talk to him. He's still making a difference. He may need to improve his attitude in some situations, but he has improved a lot and keeps on improving. We're delighted with him, and with what he does on the pitch, which is playing football. He's been out of sorts at times in recent games, but his attitude has improved a lot over the years'.
Goals
'It's too difficult to predict how many goals you have to score to win. Over time, this team has scored an average of two goals per game. I haven't checked the statistics this year, but in this first part of the season we've scored two and a bit per game. We've improved a lot defensively, we've kept a lot of clean sheets'.
Criticism
'I feel very much loved by the fans. They show me a lot of love at the Bernabéu and the club, they show me every day. I don't really feel all the criticism. I feel very comfortable at Real Madrid'.
Winter transfer market
'We don't have any plans for the winter and we don't need them. We have to bear in mind that in the second half of the season Courtois and Militão will be back. They will be back for the final part of the season'.
'I don't think there are any big surprises in this season's Champions League. The teams that have competed in previous years will do so again, with the exception of Liverpool who are not here this year. I think the standard of the top teams like Manchester City, Bayern Munich and PSG is the same. The Spanish teams are going to compete more for this season's Champions League'.
Brahim
'I talk to him. He hasn't played a lot of minutes, but I know he's a player who can contribute and he'll be available. There's a lot of competition, but he's a player I like because of his characteristics, his professionalism and his seriousness. He will play his part tomorrow or in the coming games. I've read that I've passed sentence on him and I don't pass sentence on anyone. I'm not a judge. You use the word 'sentencing' a lot. Sentencing someone is not good and I don't do it. I have a special thing with Brahim because he played for Milan'.
Patience with the forwards
'We have to be patient. Sometimes you touch the ball and it goes in and there are other times when you shoot a lot and things don't work out. According to statistics, Rodrygo has the most shots in the league. He's a player who moves well, he gets close to the box, but sometimes he's not effective. We have to be patient because he'll get over this stage, as all forwards do'.
Endrick has been called up to Brazil's squad
'I'm not surprised about Endrick because he's playing very well. The national team has a lot of competition up front. It's a reward for a young player who's doing very well in Brazil'.
Brahim
'I talk to him. He hasn't played a lot of minutes, but I know he's a player who can contribute and he'll be available. There's a lot of competition, but he's a player I like because of his characteristics, his professionalism and his seriousness. He will play his part tomorrow or in the coming games. I've read that I've passed sentence on him and I don't pass sentence on anyone. I'm not a judge. You use the word 'sentencing' a lot. Sentencing someone is not good and I don't do it. I have a special thing with Brahim because he played for Milan'.
Patience with the forwards
'We have to be patient. Sometimes you touch the ball and it goes in and there are other times when you shoot a lot and things don't work out. According to statistics, Rodrygo has the most shots in the league. He's a player who moves well, he gets close to the box, but sometimes he's not effective. We have to be patient because he'll get over this stage, as all forwards do'.
Endrick has been called up to Brazil's squad
'I'm not surprised about Endrick because he's playing very well. The national team has a lot of competition up front. It's a reward for a young player who's doing very well in Brazil'.