Ancelotti: “We want to finish the tour as well as we possibly can”
“The game against Juventus is going to be a great match against tough, experienced opposition,' said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the media room at Orlando's Camping World Stadium in the build-up to the clash with Juventus. The coach reflected on the final Soccer Champions Tour match: “If we're weighing up what we've done so far, it's been good. We've tried a few things and they all went pretty well. We'll finish the tour tomorrow and we want to do that as well as we possibly can. We have to keep going in this vein and then we'll assess whether to continue with it or make a change.'
“On a personal level, I'm satisfied. We have to adapt certain things but the players are pleased. Tomorrow is a real test against tough, experienced opposition and it's going to be a great game.'
Madridistas in the United States
“It's fantastic to be here. We've played some big games against really top opponents. Plus, we get the chance to meet with our fans in the United States. There are so many madridistas out here who feel immense passion for the club.'
Kroos and Modrić
“Nothing changes in the games because they are still players with a degree of knowledge and experienced that is unmatched by anyone. They set the example in our squad. They have given us so much and will continue to do so this season. If the question is how many minutes they are going to play, I'm not sure. They will be important for us as they have been in previous years, bearing in mind the qualities they have. The young lads are coming on really well and that is precisely because they have the chance to watch Kroos and Modrić.'
Vini Jr.'s position
'I'll have to assess that and him too. The player enjoys playing a bit more centrally. He's more decisive when playing out wide, but he can score more goals centrally. Vini has done very well in the games against Milan and Manchester United. He could have been a bit more clinical against Barcelona, but he had plenty of chances. I don't know if he would have had those chances playing out wide, but he's still the best there. It's pre-season and if we don't try things now, we won't have the chance to do it later.'
System of play
'This set-up gives us another way to vary the system. I think it's good to not have a set system. We've learnt about Bellingham's qualities on an individual level, he looks like a complete attacking midfielder and not a central midfielder. He can make more of a difference. We're taking all of this into account for next season'.
“On a personal level, I'm satisfied. We have to adapt certain things but the players are pleased. Tomorrow is a real test against tough, experienced opposition and it's going to be a great game.'
Madridistas in the United States
“It's fantastic to be here. We've played some big games against really top opponents. Plus, we get the chance to meet with our fans in the United States. There are so many madridistas out here who feel immense passion for the club.'
Kroos and Modrić
“Nothing changes in the games because they are still players with a degree of knowledge and experienced that is unmatched by anyone. They set the example in our squad. They have given us so much and will continue to do so this season. If the question is how many minutes they are going to play, I'm not sure. They will be important for us as they have been in previous years, bearing in mind the qualities they have. The young lads are coming on really well and that is precisely because they have the chance to watch Kroos and Modrić.'
Vini Jr.'s position
'I'll have to assess that and him too. The player enjoys playing a bit more centrally. He's more decisive when playing out wide, but he can score more goals centrally. Vini has done very well in the games against Milan and Manchester United. He could have been a bit more clinical against Barcelona, but he had plenty of chances. I don't know if he would have had those chances playing out wide, but he's still the best there. It's pre-season and if we don't try things now, we won't have the chance to do it later.'
System of play
'This set-up gives us another way to vary the system. I think it's good to not have a set system. We've learnt about Bellingham's qualities on an individual level, he looks like a complete attacking midfielder and not a central midfielder. He can make more of a difference. We're taking all of this into account for next season'.
'There wasn't much that I didn't like about the new system because we created good attacking situations. We were good in transition after losing the ball and also in pressing higher up. We need to have more balance and awareness because it's a system that requires you to attack a lot with the full-backs. We need to look for balance there and we'll fix that. If the players don't feel comfortable, the idea is to change. However, if they're comfortable with this system, we'll continue with it.'
Academy players
'They're all first team players in my eyes. Nico Paz and the two goalkeepers are doing very well. The goalkeepers have less chance to show their skills. Nico is very talented and very young. He looks like a first team player. We don't want to put him under pressure because he has to improve, but he has the quality to play for Real Madrid in the future'.
The growth of football in the United States
'Having the likes of Messi, Busquets and Alba is an important added value for football in the United States. They have been and are still great players who can contribute a lot of quality to their teams. Football fans have the right to see these players because they have made their mark on European football. Football in general in the United States is competing with other sports and it's difficult to get on the front page of the newspaper. American football, basketball and baseball are very prominent here.'
Generational changes
'You need to have intelligent players. The more experienced players have to take into account that there are young players who are pushing them. And the young players have to be patient and take note of what the veterans are doing. This combination was very good in the season when we won the Champions League and LaLiga. This continues because we have clever senior players and patient youngsters.'
Orlando
'I wasn't aware that Orlando's team was playing against Messi's team. We've had to adjust the schedule because they are going to be two very entertaining games. Orlando really reminds me of Kaka, who used to play here. I'll watch it tomorrow and we'll have a good time. The fans should be given the chance to watch both games because they're going to be good.'
Transfer market
'Something has changed in the transfer market because the player has more power than ever before. It's still the same on a sporting level. Some players have a bit more ego and prefer to win individual awards and others want to put their quality at the service of the team. It's the difference between a great players and a champion.'
PSG
'Nothing surprises me and I know nothing about this matter. It's a political thing and I don't go into that. I'm focused on tactics and fitness, not politics.'
Linda Caicedo
'She's doing very well. We're near to women's football and we're watching it. The World Cup has been entertaining. Spain's last game didn't go so well, but Linda played very well for her national team. We've got some great players and a good relationship with the coach of the Real Madrid women's team. The game is growing and hopefully our women's team can go on to win the trophies that the men's team has won.'
Academy players
'They're all first team players in my eyes. Nico Paz and the two goalkeepers are doing very well. The goalkeepers have less chance to show their skills. Nico is very talented and very young. He looks like a first team player. We don't want to put him under pressure because he has to improve, but he has the quality to play for Real Madrid in the future'.
The growth of football in the United States
'Having the likes of Messi, Busquets and Alba is an important added value for football in the United States. They have been and are still great players who can contribute a lot of quality to their teams. Football fans have the right to see these players because they have made their mark on European football. Football in general in the United States is competing with other sports and it's difficult to get on the front page of the newspaper. American football, basketball and baseball are very prominent here.'
Generational changes
'You need to have intelligent players. The more experienced players have to take into account that there are young players who are pushing them. And the young players have to be patient and take note of what the veterans are doing. This combination was very good in the season when we won the Champions League and LaLiga. This continues because we have clever senior players and patient youngsters.'
Orlando
'I wasn't aware that Orlando's team was playing against Messi's team. We've had to adjust the schedule because they are going to be two very entertaining games. Orlando really reminds me of Kaka, who used to play here. I'll watch it tomorrow and we'll have a good time. The fans should be given the chance to watch both games because they're going to be good.'
Transfer market
'Something has changed in the transfer market because the player has more power than ever before. It's still the same on a sporting level. Some players have a bit more ego and prefer to win individual awards and others want to put their quality at the service of the team. It's the difference between a great players and a champion.'
PSG
'Nothing surprises me and I know nothing about this matter. It's a political thing and I don't go into that. I'm focused on tactics and fitness, not politics.'
Linda Caicedo
'She's doing very well. We're near to women's football and we're watching it. The World Cup has been entertaining. Spain's last game didn't go so well, but Linda played very well for her national team. We've got some great players and a good relationship with the coach of the Real Madrid women's team. The game is growing and hopefully our women's team can go on to win the trophies that the men's team has won.'