Ancelotti: 'The first goal made all the difference'
'Madrid is playing good football and we've improved a lot defensively,' he added.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu after Real Madrid's LaLiga matchday nine win over Osasuna: "We played well and controlled the game well. The first goal made all the difference and allowed us to play with more control and without pressing too high in the opposition half. In the second half we finished the game with more space."
"Madrid are playing good football. Since when? This team always plays good football. It depends on what you mean by playing well. Today we played very well with and without the ball. Tchouameni was excellent as a central defender. We pressed well and we were compact. We have improved a lot after the defeat against Atlético. Defensively we have improved a lot and sometimes criticism is welcome. Thank you very much for the criticism after the game with Atlético."
Praise for Bellingham
"He's creating a lot of chances up front and he's very much involved in the attacking play. It's an advantage that he doesn't have a fixed position. He comes in well from the second line and combines with team-mates. It's an amazing start to the season in every sense. Nobody expected this level in terms of goals. We're lucky to have signed a spectacular player and we're all very happy. He's very intelligent and learns very quickly. He's enjoying his moment, but always with his feet on the ground, with a lot of seriousness and personality."
"It's easier to study a player with a fixed position. He's very dynamic and, if he drops a few metres, he's going to be dangerous up top because he's strong enough to get into the opposition box quickly. It's not so easy to play him in position. He is doing very well and has adapted very well. What has surprised me the most is his maturity. He makes us forget that he is 20 years old. Everyone is aware that he is not a centre forward but an inside player who arrives very well. The priority is not to score goals. When the time comes when he doesn't score, he'll contribute to the team in another way, with work and quality."
Assessment of the start of the season
"We have to be very satisfied. We've had a lot of problems and little by little the players are coming back. Mendy is back and he had a good game. With the problems we've had, we've done well. We've only lost one game and the rest we've done very well. Now we have to prepare for the next part of the season, which will start with three very difficult matches."
"Madrid are playing good football. Since when? This team always plays good football. It depends on what you mean by playing well. Today we played very well with and without the ball. Tchouameni was excellent as a central defender. We pressed well and we were compact. We have improved a lot after the defeat against Atlético. Defensively we have improved a lot and sometimes criticism is welcome. Thank you very much for the criticism after the game with Atlético."
Praise for Bellingham
"He's creating a lot of chances up front and he's very much involved in the attacking play. It's an advantage that he doesn't have a fixed position. He comes in well from the second line and combines with team-mates. It's an amazing start to the season in every sense. Nobody expected this level in terms of goals. We're lucky to have signed a spectacular player and we're all very happy. He's very intelligent and learns very quickly. He's enjoying his moment, but always with his feet on the ground, with a lot of seriousness and personality."
"It's easier to study a player with a fixed position. He's very dynamic and, if he drops a few metres, he's going to be dangerous up top because he's strong enough to get into the opposition box quickly. It's not so easy to play him in position. He is doing very well and has adapted very well. What has surprised me the most is his maturity. He makes us forget that he is 20 years old. Everyone is aware that he is not a centre forward but an inside player who arrives very well. The priority is not to score goals. When the time comes when he doesn't score, he'll contribute to the team in another way, with work and quality."
Assessment of the start of the season
"We have to be very satisfied. We've had a lot of problems and little by little the players are coming back. Mendy is back and he had a good game. With the problems we've had, we've done well. We've only lost one game and the rest we've done very well. Now we have to prepare for the next part of the season, which will start with three very difficult matches."
Atmosphere in the dressing room
"In order for you to get the best out of it, the atmosphere has to be pure. We have a fair vibe with smart people, young and old. They get on well with each other and I enjoy this atmosphere."
Modrić
"He is his usual self, with his quality and commitment. The ovation today is normal for what he's done for this club."
Penalty takers
"Every game the penalty taker changes because the line-up is not always the same. Today Joselu had to take it. I don't know if they spoke on the pitch to give Rodrygo the chance, but the kicker was Joselu. If Rodrygo had wanted to take it, he could have taken it, but I don't know anything else about what they talked about between them."
Rodrygo
"He didn't have the chance to score until the 75th minute. The minutes he played he did well. He played because I wanted to bring in a fresh player, with different characteristics. We always give him all the love in the world."
Rüdiger's four yellow cards in La Liga
"I haven't spoken to him about this and I'm not going to say anything to a player who is one yellow card away from suspension. When he is suspended we'll put someone else in. We have a lot of centre-backs. Tchouameni doesn't like being a centre-back and there we have another debate, like with Camavinga. The day will come when Tchouameni will play at centre-back and Camavinga at left-back."
The international break
"The players have to make a personal evaluation. I'm not going to talk to anyone about their national team. If the player is tired, he should talk to his coach to see if can rest. We don't talk to anyone."
"In order for you to get the best out of it, the atmosphere has to be pure. We have a fair vibe with smart people, young and old. They get on well with each other and I enjoy this atmosphere."
Modrić
"He is his usual self, with his quality and commitment. The ovation today is normal for what he's done for this club."
Penalty takers
"Every game the penalty taker changes because the line-up is not always the same. Today Joselu had to take it. I don't know if they spoke on the pitch to give Rodrygo the chance, but the kicker was Joselu. If Rodrygo had wanted to take it, he could have taken it, but I don't know anything else about what they talked about between them."
Rodrygo
"He didn't have the chance to score until the 75th minute. The minutes he played he did well. He played because I wanted to bring in a fresh player, with different characteristics. We always give him all the love in the world."
Rüdiger's four yellow cards in La Liga
"I haven't spoken to him about this and I'm not going to say anything to a player who is one yellow card away from suspension. When he is suspended we'll put someone else in. We have a lot of centre-backs. Tchouameni doesn't like being a centre-back and there we have another debate, like with Camavinga. The day will come when Tchouameni will play at centre-back and Camavinga at left-back."
The international break
"The players have to make a personal evaluation. I'm not going to talk to anyone about their national team. If the player is tired, he should talk to his coach to see if can rest. We don't talk to anyone."