Ancelotti: “We're excited to be returning to the Bernabéu”
“After some good performances in the opening three games, we want to get a win in front of our fans,' said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the media room at Real Madrid City on the eve of the clash with Getafe on LaLiga matchday 4 Saturday, 4:15pm CEST. The coach explained: “We're really excited to be back at the Bernabéu, it looks quite different now. It's important to get back to our stadium in front of our fans after some good performances in the opening three games. We can't wait to return and pick up the three points.'
“I'm very happy with the squad. As I said before, we did all the work we had to do early on and when the season got underway, we were all sorted. It's a competitive squad because we have a mix of quality, strength, energy and experience. We're in good shape, despite having some real problems, which is always the way over the course of the season. It's a good squad and we can replace our injured guys without many issues.'
Bellingham's Bernabéu debut
'The fans will be delighted to see Bellingham play live at our ground. He's got such a strong personality, he'll love playing at the Bernabéu.'
The system
“Being without Vini Jr. means we lose a hugely decisive player for the next few games. Our approach won't change but we'll replace him with a player who has different attributes, so we'll try to adapt our attacking movement.'
“I'm very happy with the squad. As I said before, we did all the work we had to do early on and when the season got underway, we were all sorted. It's a competitive squad because we have a mix of quality, strength, energy and experience. We're in good shape, despite having some real problems, which is always the way over the course of the season. It's a good squad and we can replace our injured guys without many issues.'
Bellingham's Bernabéu debut
'The fans will be delighted to see Bellingham play live at our ground. He's got such a strong personality, he'll love playing at the Bernabéu.'
The system
“Being without Vini Jr. means we lose a hugely decisive player for the next few games. Our approach won't change but we'll replace him with a player who has different attributes, so we'll try to adapt our attacking movement.'
“We can replace Vinicius with Joselu and Brahim. We don't have to play with three forwards but I might well play with someone coming inside. Regardless of that, a player Vinicius won't change the system. If Joselu plays, we can play with a centre forward and if it's Brahim, we can play a bit more between the lines.'
Performance levels
“We can compete with anyone, we have the resources to go all out in every competition. The team changes slightly each year but the quality remains very high.'
Champions League draw
'Napoli were fantastic last season and they have maintained pretty much the same squad and got a new coach who I know very well. They are a team who compete very well and they made the Champions League quarter-finals last year. Union Berlin are an impressive unit, especially defensively. We have to respect Braga because play some great football, like all the Portuguese teams. We have to respect every single side we come up against, especially in the Champions League because any game can be a banana skin.'
Ceballos and Mendy
“Ceballos and Mendy are still working individually. They'll be back with the team during the international break and should be back available by the time the league starts again against Real Sociedad”.
Rodrygo's attributes
“Rodrygo has the unusual mix of being able to do many things outside and on the left as well. Perhaps he can be more effective on that side. He's played through the middle and done a great job, as he does when he's a bit deeper. Rodrygo is a very complete forward and there are few players like him in the market.'
Excitement for the season
“I'm not in the mind of the fans. I am very excited about the season. Every single one of us, when the season starts, we are hungry to have an incredible campaign. It's happened many times in the past and could very well happen again this year.'
Penalty takers
“It depends on the match because Joselu takes them brilliantly, thanks to his experience. Modrić and Vinicius can do it as well. Perhaps Joselu is first choice, then Modrić and then Vinicius.'
Academy
“Gonzalo is doing a great job, he's contributing and he'll be in the squad, as will Nico Paz. The Real Madrid academy is fantastic. Every player who comes up to train with us has immense quality, that includes Gonzalo, Marvel, Vinicius Tobias and Mario Martín. The Real Madrid academy is producing an awful lot of talent.'
Would you take a wage cut to bring in Mbappé?
“I don't think it makes sense for me to cut my wages so Mbappé can come in. I won't discuss him because he's a PSG player. We have respect for all clubs and players who don't belong to Real Madrid”.
Performance levels
“We can compete with anyone, we have the resources to go all out in every competition. The team changes slightly each year but the quality remains very high.'
Champions League draw
'Napoli were fantastic last season and they have maintained pretty much the same squad and got a new coach who I know very well. They are a team who compete very well and they made the Champions League quarter-finals last year. Union Berlin are an impressive unit, especially defensively. We have to respect Braga because play some great football, like all the Portuguese teams. We have to respect every single side we come up against, especially in the Champions League because any game can be a banana skin.'
Ceballos and Mendy
“Ceballos and Mendy are still working individually. They'll be back with the team during the international break and should be back available by the time the league starts again against Real Sociedad”.
Rodrygo's attributes
“Rodrygo has the unusual mix of being able to do many things outside and on the left as well. Perhaps he can be more effective on that side. He's played through the middle and done a great job, as he does when he's a bit deeper. Rodrygo is a very complete forward and there are few players like him in the market.'
Excitement for the season
“I'm not in the mind of the fans. I am very excited about the season. Every single one of us, when the season starts, we are hungry to have an incredible campaign. It's happened many times in the past and could very well happen again this year.'
Penalty takers
“It depends on the match because Joselu takes them brilliantly, thanks to his experience. Modrić and Vinicius can do it as well. Perhaps Joselu is first choice, then Modrić and then Vinicius.'
Academy
“Gonzalo is doing a great job, he's contributing and he'll be in the squad, as will Nico Paz. The Real Madrid academy is fantastic. Every player who comes up to train with us has immense quality, that includes Gonzalo, Marvel, Vinicius Tobias and Mario Martín. The Real Madrid academy is producing an awful lot of talent.'
Would you take a wage cut to bring in Mbappé?
“I don't think it makes sense for me to cut my wages so Mbappé can come in. I won't discuss him because he's a PSG player. We have respect for all clubs and players who don't belong to Real Madrid”.