Ancelotti: 'The players are really eager to play and that allows me to manage the squad better'
'Girona play some beautiful football and they're a well-organised team with the ball,' underlined the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at Real Madrid City on the eve of his side's clash with Girona at Montilivi on LaLiga matchday 31 Tuesday, 7:30pm CEST. The coach highlighted: 'Girona play some beautiful football and they are a very well-organised side with the ball, they keep possession well. We're in a rich vein of form. Benzema and Camavinga will miss out on the game with knocks. Rodrygo hasn't trained but he'll be okay for tomorrow and Ceballos has got accumulated cards. Alaba and Mendy are still recovering.'
They're only little issues. Camavinga lasted the game against Celta but then he felt some discomfort from the knock. I think he'll be available for Almería. Alaba is fine, he's recovering well and I don't think he should be a problem for the Copa del Rey final.'
The Bernabéu pitch
“Every team wants to play on a beautiful pitch. We are aware of the problems we have at the Bernabéu. We won't complain but it's clear to see, our playing surface is suffering due to the ongoing works and they will fix that as soon as possible.'
Real Madrid and Barcelona
“If we're talking about the quality of the two teams, there's no way there should be 11 points between us, and that's been clear in the games we've played. They've won some, we've won others. We're two evenly matched sides and the deficit has come about through small details but we want to cut it down in the coming games.'
Militão
“I wouldn't say Militão has got his focus back. His quality in the air is one of his strengths. If you put in a decent cross, he can finish well. His heading ability is absolutely spectacular.'
Managing the squad
'It hasn't been difficult because both the older guys and the youngsters understand the decisions I make. They understand the motivation that exists at Real Madrid. They are tough decisions to make, whichever players are involved. For instance, leaving Lucas Vázquez out the other day wasn't easy for him, or for me. The fact everyone at this club is hugely motivated means I can manage the squad better and make the necessary decisions.'
Benzema
'Benzema will recover from his knock and he'll play against Almería and Real Sociedad. He's hugely important for us. The situation can be managed provided he's 100% fit. He's shown a fantastic level in recent games and we want to keep that up. When he's fatigued, he won't play, but so long as he's fit, he will do, both for him and for us.'
Academy
“The academy is in great shape under Raúl and Arbeloa. They're both doing a fantastic job and the young players are really making progress. We have a great new generation of players, especially the classes of 2003 and 2004. They're very good indeed and we'll see them in the first team soon.'
Rodrygo
“He's had a little issue with his knee lately but he doesn't complain much. He had a stomach bug today. Rodrygo gives us a freshness on the pitch, he's quick, brings dynamism to the play and he's not an unusual forward. He doesn't need much rest during games. He's doing a brilliant job and I hope he can continue to progress because he the ability to do so.'
They're only little issues. Camavinga lasted the game against Celta but then he felt some discomfort from the knock. I think he'll be available for Almería. Alaba is fine, he's recovering well and I don't think he should be a problem for the Copa del Rey final.'
The Bernabéu pitch
“Every team wants to play on a beautiful pitch. We are aware of the problems we have at the Bernabéu. We won't complain but it's clear to see, our playing surface is suffering due to the ongoing works and they will fix that as soon as possible.'
Real Madrid and Barcelona
“If we're talking about the quality of the two teams, there's no way there should be 11 points between us, and that's been clear in the games we've played. They've won some, we've won others. We're two evenly matched sides and the deficit has come about through small details but we want to cut it down in the coming games.'
Militão
“I wouldn't say Militão has got his focus back. His quality in the air is one of his strengths. If you put in a decent cross, he can finish well. His heading ability is absolutely spectacular.'
Managing the squad
'It hasn't been difficult because both the older guys and the youngsters understand the decisions I make. They understand the motivation that exists at Real Madrid. They are tough decisions to make, whichever players are involved. For instance, leaving Lucas Vázquez out the other day wasn't easy for him, or for me. The fact everyone at this club is hugely motivated means I can manage the squad better and make the necessary decisions.'
Benzema
'Benzema will recover from his knock and he'll play against Almería and Real Sociedad. He's hugely important for us. The situation can be managed provided he's 100% fit. He's shown a fantastic level in recent games and we want to keep that up. When he's fatigued, he won't play, but so long as he's fit, he will do, both for him and for us.'
Academy
“The academy is in great shape under Raúl and Arbeloa. They're both doing a fantastic job and the young players are really making progress. We have a great new generation of players, especially the classes of 2003 and 2004. They're very good indeed and we'll see them in the first team soon.'
Rodrygo
“He's had a little issue with his knee lately but he doesn't complain much. He had a stomach bug today. Rodrygo gives us a freshness on the pitch, he's quick, brings dynamism to the play and he's not an unusual forward. He doesn't need much rest during games. He's doing a brilliant job and I hope he can continue to progress because he the ability to do so.'
“Winning the LaLiga and Champions League double in the same season is very tough. Some teams view the league as more difficult and put their focus on European competitions.'
Camavinga
“Like all the young players, Camavinga is coming on well. He's making the most of his time at full-back to push the limits of his game. He's very young, he needs to mature and acquire experience and knowledge of the tactical side of the game. He doesn't have anything to learn from a technical point of view and physically he's like a Ferrari”.
Set-pieces
“Valverde's move in the second half against Chelsea was something we'd worked on because we had seen how Kepa stayed on the penalty spot early on in the game. I thought if Valverde took the shot on, we could perhaps score but it wasn't to be because Kepa hadn't come forward. So then we played short.'
'We work a lot on our set-pieces, less so from a defensive perspective because we opt for zonal marking. You can work on set-pieces more at this stage of the season because it's less tiring for the players than the tactical side of things. We work on short corners, back and front post. We have so many resources from set plays, like Asensio, Kroos and Modrić, then good finishers in Rüdiger, Militão and Tchouameni who are fantastic in the air.'
Hazard
“I haven't spoken much to Hazard. I'm not going to ask players to come and talk to me. If they need to talk, I am always available.'
Asensio
“I love Asensio and several other coaches and clubs love him too, with the ability that he possesses. I hope he stays here.'
Rotating the goalkeepers
“We're thinking about it, but if Courtois has no issues, he can carry on. Lunin has done well whenever he's played and I wouldn't rule out the fact he'll get some game time before the end of the season.'
Camavinga
“Like all the young players, Camavinga is coming on well. He's making the most of his time at full-back to push the limits of his game. He's very young, he needs to mature and acquire experience and knowledge of the tactical side of the game. He doesn't have anything to learn from a technical point of view and physically he's like a Ferrari”.
Set-pieces
“Valverde's move in the second half against Chelsea was something we'd worked on because we had seen how Kepa stayed on the penalty spot early on in the game. I thought if Valverde took the shot on, we could perhaps score but it wasn't to be because Kepa hadn't come forward. So then we played short.'
'We work a lot on our set-pieces, less so from a defensive perspective because we opt for zonal marking. You can work on set-pieces more at this stage of the season because it's less tiring for the players than the tactical side of things. We work on short corners, back and front post. We have so many resources from set plays, like Asensio, Kroos and Modrić, then good finishers in Rüdiger, Militão and Tchouameni who are fantastic in the air.'
Hazard
“I haven't spoken much to Hazard. I'm not going to ask players to come and talk to me. If they need to talk, I am always available.'
Asensio
“I love Asensio and several other coaches and clubs love him too, with the ability that he possesses. I hope he stays here.'
Rotating the goalkeepers
“We're thinking about it, but if Courtois has no issues, he can carry on. Lunin has done well whenever he's played and I wouldn't rule out the fact he'll get some game time before the end of the season.'