Ancelotti: "The important thing was to compete, and we did that throughout the game"
"I'd give it a positive assessment, it's hugely motivating for the young players to be involved in these kinds of games," added the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press at Chicago's Soldier Field to analyse Real Madrid's pre-season opener: “We competed well, fought hard and did some good things. It's the first game of pre-season, with loads of young lads out there. The important thing was to compete, and we did that throughout the game."
“I'd give it a positive assessment, it's hugely motivating for the young players to be involved in these kinds of games. In the first half, with the more experienced guys like Rüdiger and Modrić on the pitch, we managed it better, but right now they aren't ready to play more than 45 minutes. Now we'll start preparing for the next match. We'll have Vini and Militão back tomorrow, Rodrygo only arrived today. We'll see if they can play a little bit of the game. The guys who started back on the 15th, like Lucas, Fran, Brahim and Ceballos are already looking in good shape."
Palacios' substitution
“He's got a knee issue and it doesn't look good. We'll have to assess him tomorrow, it's such a shame to see a young lad get injured in the first pre-season game. I hope it's nothing too serious."
Brahim's performance
“He played well. We put together some nice attacking moves, Arda looks in good form as well."
Praise for Joan Martínez
“He's got potential. He's very young but he has all the attributes a good centre-back needs: he's good on the ball and reads the game well. He could have a future at Real Madrid. He has to keep playing for the academy sides, but they've done a good job with him so far because he's fantastic."
Fitness
“The goal up until the 7th is to try and get all the players who have started training in the best condition possible. So far, the tactical elements have only been with the youngsters but once we have everyone back, we'll try and work on that as well. There isn't too much to do, because it's more or less the same team we had last year. Our approach is fairly clear. We have to help the new guys adapt a bit, but that will take time. We can't have Mbappé or Endrick settled in five days."
Endrick
“It's difficult to draw any conclusions. What I see is that he has something very special. He's really quick, explosive in tight areas and he loses his man brilliantly. He's a huge talent. It's fairly unusual to find a player with his kind of attributes."
Arda Güler
“He's come back really strong. He trained well during the holidays, he's done a great job because he's returned in brilliant shape. He's stronger now, more resilient, and still has the same quality. It will be an important season for him, he'll be more involved than last year.
Youth Players
"Some situations are pending for the young players, but the central defenders are there. Asencio, Jacobo, and Joan will rotate and train with us until Alaba recovers. I will talk to Raúl and Arbeloa, and we will prepare a plan so that the three can take advantage of this moment and improve."
Intensity in Pressing
"It’s a risk to constantly press high. We have to go press when it’s the right time to press hard. We can do it because at the back, we are quite fast and strong in one-on-one situations. We have to work on it."
System
"We played with a 4-4-2 because we ran out of midfielders; otherwise, we would continue with a 4-3-3. As I said the other day, this team can play in any of those systems. It doesn't change the idea of our game; it only changes the defensive aspect. With a 4-3-3, you might have a more solid low block."
Álvaro’s Injury
"He has had an ankle sprain, nothing serious."
Güler’s Best Position
"Between the lines. A '10'. Also towards the right. On the left, he plays as well as he does in the center or the right, but from there he will create more chances to shoot. If we play with three players in the midfield, he could be one."
Debut of the Youth Players
"I haven't told them anything special, just to enjoy the moment because playing in a Real Madrid jersey doesn't happen to everyone. It’s a very important moment. They can't waste it with anxiety and worry. From what I’ve seen, they have enjoyed it."