Ancelotti: 'We want a repeat performance of the Bilbao game'
'It will be an entertaining game because Almería are not a team to sit back,' commented the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at Real Madrid City on the eve of the clash with Almería on LaLiga matchday two Saturday, 7:30pm CEST. The coach explained: 'We saw Almería play Rayo in the opening game and I think they are well organised as a team. They didn't deserve to lose, they went down to two penalties. It will be an entertaining game because they are not a team to sit back. They want to play and they have quality players. We want to see a repeat performance of the Bilbao game, where the team played very well.'
“We're pretty used to the heat. We could have played a little later, but the players are used to it now and the hydration break helps, so I won't moan about it too much.'
Kepa's arrival
'He's settling into the groove with his teammates really well and he's shown what we already knew, that he has quality and is a personality between the sticks. Since he's still adapting, and Lunin did a great job in Bilbao, we'll start with Lunin tomorrow. We'll see in the next few games.'
'Kepa has a very high level and he's young, but already boasts international experience. Lunin lacks that experience a bit, which is to be expected from such a young player. We won't rotate the keepers. They are both very good, but one will get more minutes than the other.'
Defence
“We're well covered in that position, we have highly experienced players. Marvel has trained with us this week and we have other guys who are making brilliant progress. Until we get Militão back, we'll use the academy lads to fill that fourth centre-back role.'
Guardiola's comments on the calendar
“As if I wouldn't agree with Guardiola's comments, I am in full agreement with him. They're trying to improve the quality of the spectacle by adding minutes, with more games, but to improve the quality, you should be pulling back on quantity. The problem is that players and coaches don't get a say. Apparently, football is not entertaining enough and they want to get more of it so they can make more money. That's the problem. The players are the most heavily affected, they get more injuries and can't show their quality due to that fatigue. I don't know when this will change.'
Vini Jr. missing out on UEFA Player of the Year shortlist
'Vinicius is one of the best, if not the best right now. All madridismo knows it and that's more than enough for him. He doesn't need any further motivation. He's already highly motivated. Nothing surprises me in football. Everyone knows what he's contributed to Real Madrid over the last three years. He's been the player who has made the greatest difference. He lacks a bit of consistency there but it's fairly strange to see him not make the list, although it's not very important.'
“We're pretty used to the heat. We could have played a little later, but the players are used to it now and the hydration break helps, so I won't moan about it too much.'
Kepa's arrival
'He's settling into the groove with his teammates really well and he's shown what we already knew, that he has quality and is a personality between the sticks. Since he's still adapting, and Lunin did a great job in Bilbao, we'll start with Lunin tomorrow. We'll see in the next few games.'
'Kepa has a very high level and he's young, but already boasts international experience. Lunin lacks that experience a bit, which is to be expected from such a young player. We won't rotate the keepers. They are both very good, but one will get more minutes than the other.'
Defence
“We're well covered in that position, we have highly experienced players. Marvel has trained with us this week and we have other guys who are making brilliant progress. Until we get Militão back, we'll use the academy lads to fill that fourth centre-back role.'
Guardiola's comments on the calendar
“As if I wouldn't agree with Guardiola's comments, I am in full agreement with him. They're trying to improve the quality of the spectacle by adding minutes, with more games, but to improve the quality, you should be pulling back on quantity. The problem is that players and coaches don't get a say. Apparently, football is not entertaining enough and they want to get more of it so they can make more money. That's the problem. The players are the most heavily affected, they get more injuries and can't show their quality due to that fatigue. I don't know when this will change.'
Vini Jr. missing out on UEFA Player of the Year shortlist
'Vinicius is one of the best, if not the best right now. All madridismo knows it and that's more than enough for him. He doesn't need any further motivation. He's already highly motivated. Nothing surprises me in football. Everyone knows what he's contributed to Real Madrid over the last three years. He's been the player who has made the greatest difference. He lacks a bit of consistency there but it's fairly strange to see him not make the list, although it's not very important.'
Camavinga
“He felt a bit of discomfort after yesterday's training session so we didn't want to risk him today. He's in the squad and we'll assess him tomorrow. If the strain eases up, he'll play.'
“We're trying to get him to improve his ability to get into the box. He's lacking those dangerous runs from deep a little bit, he's only got the one goal and he struggles to get up into the area.'
Knee injuries
“It's difficult to know what causes it. We have to evaluate a lot of things and we are doing so. Militão was in great shape in terms of his strength, and the same goes for Courtois. There was no alarm bells in that sense. Sometimes a player lacks a bit of balance in terms of strength but all the data we have analysed gave no sign at all of anything untoward. It's just been bad luck for both of them.'
Kroos and Modrić
“They're both in good shape. They have trained very well this week, as has everyone else. I was lucky enough to enjoy a full week to prepare this game, which is pretty unusual, it's been great. They're both ready to play.'
New LaLiga broadcasting initiatives
“Real Madrid has its rights against LaLiga. Not long ago, the courts found in our favour. The dressing room is a sacred place for me and it makes no sense to have cameras in there prior to a game.'
Saudi Arabia
“They are spending a lot of money in order to improve their league and they have the right to do so within the Financial Fair Play rules. If they're able to do it, they must be doing so in accordance with Financial Fair Play.'
Ansu Fati
“He's a young player with immense talent and he's got a very bright future. That's all I will say.'
“He felt a bit of discomfort after yesterday's training session so we didn't want to risk him today. He's in the squad and we'll assess him tomorrow. If the strain eases up, he'll play.'
“We're trying to get him to improve his ability to get into the box. He's lacking those dangerous runs from deep a little bit, he's only got the one goal and he struggles to get up into the area.'
Knee injuries
“It's difficult to know what causes it. We have to evaluate a lot of things and we are doing so. Militão was in great shape in terms of his strength, and the same goes for Courtois. There was no alarm bells in that sense. Sometimes a player lacks a bit of balance in terms of strength but all the data we have analysed gave no sign at all of anything untoward. It's just been bad luck for both of them.'
Kroos and Modrić
“They're both in good shape. They have trained very well this week, as has everyone else. I was lucky enough to enjoy a full week to prepare this game, which is pretty unusual, it's been great. They're both ready to play.'
New LaLiga broadcasting initiatives
“Real Madrid has its rights against LaLiga. Not long ago, the courts found in our favour. The dressing room is a sacred place for me and it makes no sense to have cameras in there prior to a game.'
Saudi Arabia
“They are spending a lot of money in order to improve their league and they have the right to do so within the Financial Fair Play rules. If they're able to do it, they must be doing so in accordance with Financial Fair Play.'
Ansu Fati
“He's a young player with immense talent and he's got a very bright future. That's all I will say.'