Ancelotti: “We'll try to play fast-flowing football, with intensity against Osasuna”
“We want to finish this stretch of the season well before the international break,” said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at Real Madrid City the day before the game against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu, on matchday nine of LaLiga Saturday, 4.15pm CEST. The Italian coach had the following to say: “We want to finish this stretch of the season well before the international break. We want to finish strongly, although we know how tough Osasuna can be to play against, and they‘ve always played well here. Besides, we haven’t beaten them on the last two occasions. We’ll have to be at our best tomorrow to try to get the three points.”
“We'll try to play well and play fast-flowing football, with intensity, to look to attack as soon as possible. Osasuna are a team that defend very well and they'll try to pull us out of position to hurt us. We must attack intelligently and avoid taking risks at the back.”
Alaba’s absence
“He isn’t right yet, so he won’t be playing tomorrow. We have other options at centre-back like Mendy or Tchouameni. We’ll be able to adapt well and the defensive work is down to the team and not only individuals. The concern for this match is that we’re up against a side that is very well drilled. We’ve tried Tchouameni there in training these last two days and he has defensive qualities – he’s good in one-on-one situations and in the air. Mendy is naturally a defender and is used to playing in the back four.”
Vini Jr. and legal process over racist abuse
“There is an attempt to divert things. He has been the victim of racial abuse. It doesn’t matter if there is one or there are 10,000 people doing it. We're in the middle of a judicial process and it makes me feel disgusted and angry that there are media outlets who want to divert the issue.”
“He's doing great and is very motivated, as always. I haven't spoken to him about this issue. Nobody knows what he has told the court. He's happy to be playing tomorrow.”
On the 2030 World Cup being held in Spain
“I think it's good news for Spain to have the World Cup. It's a very good for this country because it’s a important event. The fact that some matches will be played outside Spain, doesn't affect the joy of it. It's an extraordinary event and it’s great news.”
“The World Cup final has to be played in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and at the Bernabéu because it has to be the best stadium in the world. Simply because of this.”
“We'll try to play well and play fast-flowing football, with intensity, to look to attack as soon as possible. Osasuna are a team that defend very well and they'll try to pull us out of position to hurt us. We must attack intelligently and avoid taking risks at the back.”
Alaba’s absence
“He isn’t right yet, so he won’t be playing tomorrow. We have other options at centre-back like Mendy or Tchouameni. We’ll be able to adapt well and the defensive work is down to the team and not only individuals. The concern for this match is that we’re up against a side that is very well drilled. We’ve tried Tchouameni there in training these last two days and he has defensive qualities – he’s good in one-on-one situations and in the air. Mendy is naturally a defender and is used to playing in the back four.”
Vini Jr. and legal process over racist abuse
“There is an attempt to divert things. He has been the victim of racial abuse. It doesn’t matter if there is one or there are 10,000 people doing it. We're in the middle of a judicial process and it makes me feel disgusted and angry that there are media outlets who want to divert the issue.”
“He's doing great and is very motivated, as always. I haven't spoken to him about this issue. Nobody knows what he has told the court. He's happy to be playing tomorrow.”
On the 2030 World Cup being held in Spain
“I think it's good news for Spain to have the World Cup. It's a very good for this country because it’s a important event. The fact that some matches will be played outside Spain, doesn't affect the joy of it. It's an extraordinary event and it’s great news.”
“The World Cup final has to be played in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and at the Bernabéu because it has to be the best stadium in the world. Simply because of this.”
Praise for Modrić
“I don't think he's considering leaving in January. He feels he's an important player and so do we. He's going to be very important this season and we're delighted with him. I talk to Modrić every day and he's still highly motivated and eager to contribute something to the team. What he brings to the dressing room, no one else can bring. He has charisma and he's important even when he doesn't play. Not playing affects him and all of us who love Modrić. He played 30 minutes at Napoli and that means a lot to us.”
Rodrygo
“Forwards go through moments when it's harder for them to score and they have to hang in there and not just focus on the goal. Luckily, he's working for the team, he's contributing with his work. At the moment we haven't needed his goals because we've won all but one of our games.”
The connection between Vini Jr. and Bellingham
“They link up well because they have different characteristics. Vini Jr. plays on the outside and Bellingham comes in from deep. If they can keep linking up well, we'll be more successful.”
Fran García
“He played a lot of games at the start and now, with the return of Mendy and because I've put Camavinga in, he has had less of a role. He's fine, motivated, and the fact that he's going off with Spain is good for him and it's fair because he's a very good full-back.”
Simeone's comments on Madrid's young players
“He was talking about a problem of intensity and energy on the pitch. The young players we have contribute a lot in that sense with and without the ball. Each one has to perform with the characteristics they have. I’ve won with a 40-year-old centre-back and with Modrić, Kroos and Camavinga. To play high-intensity football, of course, young players bring a lot to the table and endure a lot more than a veteran with other characteristics.”
“I don't think he's considering leaving in January. He feels he's an important player and so do we. He's going to be very important this season and we're delighted with him. I talk to Modrić every day and he's still highly motivated and eager to contribute something to the team. What he brings to the dressing room, no one else can bring. He has charisma and he's important even when he doesn't play. Not playing affects him and all of us who love Modrić. He played 30 minutes at Napoli and that means a lot to us.”
Rodrygo
“Forwards go through moments when it's harder for them to score and they have to hang in there and not just focus on the goal. Luckily, he's working for the team, he's contributing with his work. At the moment we haven't needed his goals because we've won all but one of our games.”
The connection between Vini Jr. and Bellingham
“They link up well because they have different characteristics. Vini Jr. plays on the outside and Bellingham comes in from deep. If they can keep linking up well, we'll be more successful.”
Fran García
“He played a lot of games at the start and now, with the return of Mendy and because I've put Camavinga in, he has had less of a role. He's fine, motivated, and the fact that he's going off with Spain is good for him and it's fair because he's a very good full-back.”
Simeone's comments on Madrid's young players
“He was talking about a problem of intensity and energy on the pitch. The young players we have contribute a lot in that sense with and without the ball. Each one has to perform with the characteristics they have. I’ve won with a 40-year-old centre-back and with Modrić, Kroos and Camavinga. To play high-intensity football, of course, young players bring a lot to the table and endure a lot more than a veteran with other characteristics.”