Ancelotti: 'The team is confident and we're going to fight for everything'
'The squad's performance is improving and the best is yet to come for us', explained the coach.
Ancelotti spoke to the media in the press room at Real Madrid City after the final training session before the LaLiga matchday 17 clash against Valencia, which was rescheduled due to the Spanish Super Cup Thursday, 9pm. The coach said: ' We put in a good performance on Sunday, repeating all the good things we did in the second half against both Atlético and Villarreal. We put in a complete performance from the first to the last minute against Real Sociedad. The team is getting stronger physically and individually. That should allow that the team to play at a higher intensity and that will improve their performance'.
'Camavinga played left-back when there was an emergency when Alaba was out. Nacho can also play there and has lpayed well, like he did against Valencia in the Super Cup. Alaba can play there. We're well covered in that position. Camavinga is settling in very well, but we're not going to change the notion that he's going to be a top defensive midfielder and a great central midfielder in the future. His ability to adapt to the left-back position shows that he has intelligence and humility'.
The hunt for trophies
'Something has been missing in some games, but we're on track with last year's points tally. Barcelona are doing better. We're confident that we can fight until the end. We've improved and are playing at a very good level. We can fight and we're going to fight for everything. The squad is beginning to look very good and the month of January could have been more problematic, but it's been quite good. The good things are going to come for us now'.
Transfer market
'We didn't go to the transfer market because we didn't need to. The planning is done in the summer and if you plan well, that allows you to avoid going into the winter transfer window. That's what we've done. Buying in the winter market means that there's been an injury or bad planning. We decided it wasn't necessary as the squad is fine'.
The future of Benzema and Modrić
'I think they won't come to my office asking me for advice. Madrid legends have to remain here. We're talking about two legends'.
Tchouameni and Carvajal
'They're both doing well. Their recovery programme has been long, but they're ready to play and are 100 per cent. There's a little bit to go for Alaba, but he'll be available for Sunday or the Club World Cup'.
'Camavinga played left-back when there was an emergency when Alaba was out. Nacho can also play there and has lpayed well, like he did against Valencia in the Super Cup. Alaba can play there. We're well covered in that position. Camavinga is settling in very well, but we're not going to change the notion that he's going to be a top defensive midfielder and a great central midfielder in the future. His ability to adapt to the left-back position shows that he has intelligence and humility'.
The hunt for trophies
'Something has been missing in some games, but we're on track with last year's points tally. Barcelona are doing better. We're confident that we can fight until the end. We've improved and are playing at a very good level. We can fight and we're going to fight for everything. The squad is beginning to look very good and the month of January could have been more problematic, but it's been quite good. The good things are going to come for us now'.
Transfer market
'We didn't go to the transfer market because we didn't need to. The planning is done in the summer and if you plan well, that allows you to avoid going into the winter transfer window. That's what we've done. Buying in the winter market means that there's been an injury or bad planning. We decided it wasn't necessary as the squad is fine'.
The future of Benzema and Modrić
'I think they won't come to my office asking me for advice. Madrid legends have to remain here. We're talking about two legends'.
Tchouameni and Carvajal
'They're both doing well. Their recovery programme has been long, but they're ready to play and are 100 per cent. There's a little bit to go for Alaba, but he'll be available for Sunday or the Club World Cup'.
'Ceballos has the same characteristics as Modrić. He likes to have the ball, he's intelligent and smart. He's in top physical condition. He's confident and has great personality. He can replace Modrić'.
Premier League
'We're all aware of what's going on with the Premier League due to the TV rights being higher compared to the other competitions. It's going to stay that way. The Commonwealth follows the English League closely and that's why they have an advantage. English teams didn't win the Champions League and Europa League, but their domestic competition in the Premiership is bigger and more entertaining'.
Fran Garcia
'He could be an option, but we assessed Mendy's injury and he's going to be back from his injury. We want Fran Garcia to remain at Rayo so he can continue to progress and further his experience'.
Coaching role
'I know what my role is and it's not to give players minutes. My job is to ensure that Madrid win the games. I'd like to give everyone minutes because they are committed and professional. Leaving out a player like that is very difficult for me, but this is my job. I'm not a personal coach to Odriozola, Benzema, Rodrygo... I'm Real Madrid's coach'.
Schedule
'We're not going to throw competitions away. We're in the semi-finals of the cup, in the last 16 of the Champions League which is the most important competition, in the Club World Cup semi-finals, in the fight for LaLiga. We're not going to give up on any competition because this club doesn't do that. We have to rotate our players because we have a very tough schedule. We don't stop here because LaLiga, FIFA, the Federation and UEFA want to do their own thing'.
'We can't have any rest days, but I'm a bit bored on those days. We have to stop for a moment and focus on the players because if they get tired there's nothing we can do. We're really looking forward to the semi-final against Barcelona, a Champions League last 16 against Liverpool and to fight in every competition. Players like it, but the fixture list is being stretched and we have to work together to avoid this'.
Change of coach at Valencia
'When a coach is changed, it's not just due to the coach's mistakes, but also to change something in the team's direction. We'll be up against a very motivated team. Being sacked is part of our job as a coach. I don't think there's any coach who hasn't been sacked from his clubs. Guardiola is the only one, but if he keeps on coaching, he'll be sacked one day. I've been sacked from a lot of places, but I'm still here. Some things are worse'.
Two central midfielders
'If we find a central midfielder like me in the transfer market, we could play with two central midfielders laughs'.
Premier League
'We're all aware of what's going on with the Premier League due to the TV rights being higher compared to the other competitions. It's going to stay that way. The Commonwealth follows the English League closely and that's why they have an advantage. English teams didn't win the Champions League and Europa League, but their domestic competition in the Premiership is bigger and more entertaining'.
Fran Garcia
'He could be an option, but we assessed Mendy's injury and he's going to be back from his injury. We want Fran Garcia to remain at Rayo so he can continue to progress and further his experience'.
Coaching role
'I know what my role is and it's not to give players minutes. My job is to ensure that Madrid win the games. I'd like to give everyone minutes because they are committed and professional. Leaving out a player like that is very difficult for me, but this is my job. I'm not a personal coach to Odriozola, Benzema, Rodrygo... I'm Real Madrid's coach'.
Schedule
'We're not going to throw competitions away. We're in the semi-finals of the cup, in the last 16 of the Champions League which is the most important competition, in the Club World Cup semi-finals, in the fight for LaLiga. We're not going to give up on any competition because this club doesn't do that. We have to rotate our players because we have a very tough schedule. We don't stop here because LaLiga, FIFA, the Federation and UEFA want to do their own thing'.
'We can't have any rest days, but I'm a bit bored on those days. We have to stop for a moment and focus on the players because if they get tired there's nothing we can do. We're really looking forward to the semi-final against Barcelona, a Champions League last 16 against Liverpool and to fight in every competition. Players like it, but the fixture list is being stretched and we have to work together to avoid this'.
Change of coach at Valencia
'When a coach is changed, it's not just due to the coach's mistakes, but also to change something in the team's direction. We'll be up against a very motivated team. Being sacked is part of our job as a coach. I don't think there's any coach who hasn't been sacked from his clubs. Guardiola is the only one, but if he keeps on coaching, he'll be sacked one day. I've been sacked from a lot of places, but I'm still here. Some things are worse'.
Two central midfielders
'If we find a central midfielder like me in the transfer market, we could play with two central midfielders laughs'.