Ancelotti: "This club can mark an era in the future because of the young players we have”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu and analysed Real Madrid‘s victory over Alavés on matchday 36 of LaLiga. The Italian had the following to say: “The squad is extremely talented, with very young people and a great deal of quality. This club can mark an era in the future considering the value of the young players we have at the moment. It's been my best season as a coach. The team did fantastically well in the league, we won it deservedly and without a shadow of a doubt. Everyone was waiting for the slip-up, but it didn't come. We're happy and on cloud nine. But we have to keep going because we haven't played the most important match yet.”

Clean sheet record in LaLiga
“It is a very significant statistic that rewards the collective work on a defensive level. We put things right after the only defeat in the league. This is a big part of the team's success. If you can convince the players with more quality to work when they don't have the ball, it's a very important aspect.”

Vini Jr.’s fine form
“The goals he's scored with one touch mean he's improved a lot. He's also making fantastic runs and he's in a tremendous moment in his career. He's very close to another Champions League and I don't think he can do better than that.”

Motivation for the Champions League final
“Courtois has done very well and is progressing nicely, as is Militão. We're confident that we'll be at our best on 1 June. The squad is motivated, focused and we're in a good shape. It's important to rest this week and prepare well for the Champions League final in the next two weeks.”

Goalkeeping situation
“The situation is clear. I have to give minutes to Lunin and in the two games we have left, one will be played by Lunin and the other by Courtois.”

Kroos’s situation
“The club isn't anxious, I'm not anxious and Toni isn't anxious. Our objective is 1 June and this is a secondary issue. After that, the interested parties will have to talk about it. We're all thinking about one thing and that's winning the Champions League.”

Is Kroos a candidate for the Ballon d'Or?
“Anything can happen. There are important competitions in the summer. Kroos, with Germany, has the chance to win the European Championship and do the double with the Champions League, including the league. So why not? He can fight to win it.”

Future of Modrić and Kroos
“These situations are individual and will be discussed by those involved after the final.”

Arda Güler’s potential
“We're very fond of the youngsters. The whole club, the staff and the coaching staff are all very fond of him because he is the youngest. He's progressing very well, he has a gift and that's scoring goals. Güler loves to have the ball at his feet. We're delighted that he's here and that he'll be with us in the future.”

Bellingham’s defensive role
“Defensively, we ask him for more work in comparison to Vini. Then they alternate on the wing. It's a role he likes because he doesn't like to play too high up. He prefers to be more involved in the game and is more comfortable there. He helps us a lot and has more defensive quality than Vini and Rodrygo. It's good for us when it comes to defending that he's on the outside because he helps Mendy on the wing.”

Preparation in the coming weeks
“Carvajal got a stamp on his foot and it's nothing. We want to have tempo, momentum, motivation, to keep playing well and giving minutes to the players. That's the best way to prepare for the final. Now we have to switch off, play the next two games and be at our best on 1 June.”

Rest for the team
“I'll rest like the players. The final is coming up. We have two weeks of time, we'll work more on the physical level next week and the following week we'll lower the workload and focus on the tactical level. It's important this week to focus on rest.”