Ancelotti: “We want to see off our fans in the best possible way”
“We have the challenge of ending the league in second place”, said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at Real Madrid City the day before the clash against Athletic Club, on the final matchday of the LaLiga season, which will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu: “I'd like to finish the season well. We have the challenge of ending the league in second place, which isn't what we wanted at the start of the season, but we want to see off our fans in the best possible way.”
“The team’s in good shape, everyone's ready to play. Mariano won't be able to start the game, but the rest of the squad is available. We want to finish this season strongly, have a rest and prepare for next season. There are players here who are under contract and others who are due to finish theirs. We're going to have a slightly different squad next season, but it'll be a competitive squad that excites me a lot.”
Reliability of the players
“They have all delivered, they've given their all, especially the players who were coming to the end of their contracts, like Ceballos, Modrić, Asensio, Nacho and Kroos. They’ve all performed really well, they’ve been serious the issue with their contracts hasn't affected them at all.”
His relationship with the club
“It's still a honeymoon period for me at Real Madrid. I haven't had any problems with the club. On the contrary. This period has enhanced our relationship. We're moving forward. I'm happy to continue and to try to do better next season.”
Motivation
“I've tried to keep the squad motivated, but it's impossible to keep everyone happy. Sometimes you have to deal with the players' dissatisfaction and I understand them completely because when you're at a club you want to play.”
Nacho and Ceballos
“They know exactly what we think of them. They understand it clearly. They're waiting for the end of the season to decide and everything is in their hands.”
“The team’s in good shape, everyone's ready to play. Mariano won't be able to start the game, but the rest of the squad is available. We want to finish this season strongly, have a rest and prepare for next season. There are players here who are under contract and others who are due to finish theirs. We're going to have a slightly different squad next season, but it'll be a competitive squad that excites me a lot.”
Reliability of the players
“They have all delivered, they've given their all, especially the players who were coming to the end of their contracts, like Ceballos, Modrić, Asensio, Nacho and Kroos. They’ve all performed really well, they’ve been serious the issue with their contracts hasn't affected them at all.”
His relationship with the club
“It's still a honeymoon period for me at Real Madrid. I haven't had any problems with the club. On the contrary. This period has enhanced our relationship. We're moving forward. I'm happy to continue and to try to do better next season.”
Motivation
“I've tried to keep the squad motivated, but it's impossible to keep everyone happy. Sometimes you have to deal with the players' dissatisfaction and I understand them completely because when you're at a club you want to play.”
Nacho and Ceballos
“They know exactly what we think of them. They understand it clearly. They're waiting for the end of the season to decide and everything is in their hands.”
“The internet is not reality. I don't feel comfortable with technology because reality is different. The media is very important for society, but we have to manage this situation well because the new generations will face problems if they don't know how to use these tools. I agree with Benzema.”
Legends
“The club's legends should finish their careers at Real Madrid. This is what the fans and the club want. The club, the fans and I think so.”
Benzema
“Benzema is ready to play tomorrow, he's recovered nicely and he has a year left on his contract.”
Future
“Real Madrid's squad for next season is going to be highly competitive. Some contracts are coming to an end and we'll have a different squad.”
Season review
“It's been a very long and tough season. We've worked very hard, we didn't have time and sometimes I haven't managed to transmit the highest level of motivation, because it's tough to do it every three days. I have given everything. I give myself a positive grade, but I'll do better next season.”
Harry Kane
“You're really interested in what's going to happen next season. I can talk about my future, not the future of the squad, which is underway. Kane is a top player, but he's a Tottenham player and we have to respect both the player and the club.”
Fran García and Brahim
“I didn't know about Fran García. He's a player we like. I can't talk about Brahim at the moment.”
Legends
“The club's legends should finish their careers at Real Madrid. This is what the fans and the club want. The club, the fans and I think so.”
Benzema
“Benzema is ready to play tomorrow, he's recovered nicely and he has a year left on his contract.”
Future
“Real Madrid's squad for next season is going to be highly competitive. Some contracts are coming to an end and we'll have a different squad.”
Season review
“It's been a very long and tough season. We've worked very hard, we didn't have time and sometimes I haven't managed to transmit the highest level of motivation, because it's tough to do it every three days. I have given everything. I give myself a positive grade, but I'll do better next season.”
Harry Kane
“You're really interested in what's going to happen next season. I can talk about my future, not the future of the squad, which is underway. Kane is a top player, but he's a Tottenham player and we have to respect both the player and the club.”
Fran García and Brahim
“I didn't know about Fran García. He's a player we like. I can't talk about Brahim at the moment.”