Ancelotti: “The game against Real Sociedad is important and I’ll field my strongest team”
“The internationals have returned in good shape and with more desire and enthusiasm” said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at Real Madrid City the day before the game against Real Sociedad, on matchday five of LaLiga Sunday, 9pm CEST. The coach had the following to say: 'I’ll field my strongest team. It’s an important game against tough opposition. The internationals have returned in good shape and with more desire and enthusiasm after scoring goals and playing well in matches. They've come back in good condition.'
Fixture calendar
'For us, what is important is that we're given time to recover properly. That's enough.”
Praise for Bellingham
'He's evaluated by what he does on the pitch and he's doing well. He wasn't widely known because he played in the German league and he didn't have the role he has now. He's playing in an important league and at an important club. He's doing very well and I'm not surprised. He's very serious, focused and professional. I don't think he's the type of player who will let it go to his head if someone praises him.'
'He has the ability to get to the opponent's box early and threatening. We talked about him in the pre-season and he's good in this position. He shows consistency and he has great physical strength. I don't know how many goals he can score, but he has to maintain this consistency because he helps us a lot in our attacking play.'
Vini Jr.’s recovery
'I don't know the exact day he will be back. He's recovering very well and we don't want to force his recovery. The scar is fine and he's increasing the workload. Next week, he'll do some work with the team and we'll see. I think he'll recover before the 6 weeks that were said.'
Ceballos and Mendy
'Ceballos will be in the squad, but Mendy has to continue with his recovery plan because he's not 100% and has had a lot of injuries. I think he'll be in the squad on Wednesday.'
Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba and Valverde
“They're ready to play, but I'm not going to talk about the line-up. They're in top condition to play, as are all those who have been with their national teams. We've got a lot of games and I'm going to rotate a little bit more compared to the first few games. A lot more players are going to be available and they're going to be involved.”
Fixture calendar
'For us, what is important is that we're given time to recover properly. That's enough.”
Praise for Bellingham
'He's evaluated by what he does on the pitch and he's doing well. He wasn't widely known because he played in the German league and he didn't have the role he has now. He's playing in an important league and at an important club. He's doing very well and I'm not surprised. He's very serious, focused and professional. I don't think he's the type of player who will let it go to his head if someone praises him.'
'He has the ability to get to the opponent's box early and threatening. We talked about him in the pre-season and he's good in this position. He shows consistency and he has great physical strength. I don't know how many goals he can score, but he has to maintain this consistency because he helps us a lot in our attacking play.'
Vini Jr.’s recovery
'I don't know the exact day he will be back. He's recovering very well and we don't want to force his recovery. The scar is fine and he's increasing the workload. Next week, he'll do some work with the team and we'll see. I think he'll recover before the 6 weeks that were said.'
Ceballos and Mendy
'Ceballos will be in the squad, but Mendy has to continue with his recovery plan because he's not 100% and has had a lot of injuries. I think he'll be in the squad on Wednesday.'
Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba and Valverde
“They're ready to play, but I'm not going to talk about the line-up. They're in top condition to play, as are all those who have been with their national teams. We've got a lot of games and I'm going to rotate a little bit more compared to the first few games. A lot more players are going to be available and they're going to be involved.”
Difference in adaptation according to each player
“The players who are good and have character usually suffer less than the others. There's no other reason. And character more than quality, that's what allows you not to be burdened with a shirt as important as Real Madrid's.”
Modrić’s situation
“When he renewed everyone was delighted and so was he. Then his role has changed if we take a look at the last few games because he's only started one game. Now he'll be more important and he'll continue to be important as he's been in recent years. I've spoken to him about this. In this period, while playing one game a week, I've tried to give the young players more of a chance to see what they can bring to the table. They've done well and I'm convinced that the squad has a lot of competition and a lot of quality. I don’t need to give playing time to Modrić and Kroos to see what they can contribute; I know what that is. They may get fewer minutes this year compared to last season because they have extraordinary players behind them.”
Kubo
“He's doing very well. He's progressed a lot and he's a player we have to keep an eye on because he's scored goals at the start of the season. Real Sociedad are a complete team, who play good football and are very well organised. That's why we have to keep an eye on the whole team.”
Raúl's attendance at the training session
“Raúl is with us every day. It's normal to be in contact with him because we need a lot of youth players in this period. We communicate on a daily basis, but we haven't discussed his future. He was here today because he had some players who are going to be in the squad for tonight's game against Atlético.”
Vinicius and the FIFA Awards
“He was crying in the dressing room for not being put on that list. He was very sad and I understand that, he cried for about three or four hours laughs.”
Youth academy
“I would point to the club's statement. I have nothing to add on this issue.”
“The players who are good and have character usually suffer less than the others. There's no other reason. And character more than quality, that's what allows you not to be burdened with a shirt as important as Real Madrid's.”
Modrić’s situation
“When he renewed everyone was delighted and so was he. Then his role has changed if we take a look at the last few games because he's only started one game. Now he'll be more important and he'll continue to be important as he's been in recent years. I've spoken to him about this. In this period, while playing one game a week, I've tried to give the young players more of a chance to see what they can bring to the table. They've done well and I'm convinced that the squad has a lot of competition and a lot of quality. I don’t need to give playing time to Modrić and Kroos to see what they can contribute; I know what that is. They may get fewer minutes this year compared to last season because they have extraordinary players behind them.”
Kubo
“He's doing very well. He's progressed a lot and he's a player we have to keep an eye on because he's scored goals at the start of the season. Real Sociedad are a complete team, who play good football and are very well organised. That's why we have to keep an eye on the whole team.”
Raúl's attendance at the training session
“Raúl is with us every day. It's normal to be in contact with him because we need a lot of youth players in this period. We communicate on a daily basis, but we haven't discussed his future. He was here today because he had some players who are going to be in the squad for tonight's game against Atlético.”
Vinicius and the FIFA Awards
“He was crying in the dressing room for not being put on that list. He was very sad and I understand that, he cried for about three or four hours laughs.”
Youth academy
“I would point to the club's statement. I have nothing to add on this issue.”