Ancelotti: “We're motivated and full of confidence ahead of the Clásico”
'The Copa del Rey is an important competition and we'll do all we can to make the final again', said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press at Real Madrid City following the team's final training session before the Clásico in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. The coach explained: “We're in good shape, we're motivated and focused. I think we're all feeling really positive after the game against Valladolid. We're on a high and full of confidence that we can produce a good performance'.
'Kroos and Modrić are untouchable but that doesn't mean they will play. Modrić was untouchable against Valladolid too, and he was on the bench. I have to consider the resources I have on the bench because they're hugely important, just as they were last year. Starting the game isn't the most important thing, the key is that the guys who don't play from the start can try and make an impact”.
El Clásico
'It's always the biggest game for Real Madrid, for the fans, for the players and the coach. There is a huge rivalry and this match could put us in another final. It's an important competition and we're very close. We'll do all we can to book our place in the final”.
Tactical approach
'It's an option to do the same again but we'll have to assess the last couple of Clásicos because we did well. We won't look at the result. We competed well and came close to winning the last game at the Camp Nou. We want to put in a good performance and the last couple weren't bad in that sense at all'.
Attributes
'Energy and intensity are important factors in this type of match. The same goes for managing the game from the back, being able to play out well can give you an advantage in the transitions. They are high-pressure games and the experience possessed by some of the veterans could be vital. It's not down to one thing. If I only considered energy levels I would be left with a single profile of player. It's important, but so are other aspects as well'.
Full-backs
“We have to consider that the left-hand side is well occupied by Vinicius. That's why we don't ask our left-back to get forward quite so much, we prefer him to control his area better. On the right, it depends whether we play with Rodrygo or Valverde. If it's Rodrygo, we have more width on the right but if Valverde plays, he likes to come inside and then we ask Carvajal or Lucas Vázquez to get forward more often”.
'Kroos and Modrić are untouchable but that doesn't mean they will play. Modrić was untouchable against Valladolid too, and he was on the bench. I have to consider the resources I have on the bench because they're hugely important, just as they were last year. Starting the game isn't the most important thing, the key is that the guys who don't play from the start can try and make an impact”.
El Clásico
'It's always the biggest game for Real Madrid, for the fans, for the players and the coach. There is a huge rivalry and this match could put us in another final. It's an important competition and we're very close. We'll do all we can to book our place in the final”.
Tactical approach
'It's an option to do the same again but we'll have to assess the last couple of Clásicos because we did well. We won't look at the result. We competed well and came close to winning the last game at the Camp Nou. We want to put in a good performance and the last couple weren't bad in that sense at all'.
Attributes
'Energy and intensity are important factors in this type of match. The same goes for managing the game from the back, being able to play out well can give you an advantage in the transitions. They are high-pressure games and the experience possessed by some of the veterans could be vital. It's not down to one thing. If I only considered energy levels I would be left with a single profile of player. It's important, but so are other aspects as well'.
Full-backs
“We have to consider that the left-hand side is well occupied by Vinicius. That's why we don't ask our left-back to get forward quite so much, we prefer him to control his area better. On the right, it depends whether we play with Rodrygo or Valverde. If it's Rodrygo, we have more width on the right but if Valverde plays, he likes to come inside and then we ask Carvajal or Lucas Vázquez to get forward more often”.
Complete performance
“The idea is not to lose your head over the first goal because you can score with 90 minutes on the clock. The key thing is to control the game both with and without the ball. We did that in the first leg. We didn't create enough but we have to be more clinical and quicker in the transition. You could score in the last five minutes and then concede twice. If you deliver a complete performance, the goal will come'.
The squad's focus
“I see the players every day. They're fully focused and motivated. You may think that coming to the end of a contract could affect players but that isn't the case for Asensio, Ceballos or Nacho. They're showing just that, because Asensio played brilliantly against Valladolid. I don't have to tell them anything, they're all absolute professionals'.
Individual situations
“Each player has to assess their role. When they come to the end of a contract, they have to weigh up the position they hold in the squad. If you want to renew the deal, that means you're happy with your role and motivated. It's an agreement between the player and the club'.
Playing out from the back
“Rüdiger is fine and he trained today. He trained on his own yesterday but he's ready to play. Each player has their different attributes. Alaba helps us more in terms of bringing the ball out, but to do that well you have to consider the combinations and ensure the players are well positioned. The goalkeeper has the most important role in that sense”.
Choosing the perfect XI
“Choosing a starting eleven is very difficult because there are lots of players who deserve to start. Sometimes there are 14 or 15. Tchouameni gives us a lot in a defensive sense, in cutting balls out or with his pressing. With the ball in tight spaces, Camavinga has real quality and it's harder to press him. He's really made the most of his chance. He has played at full-back and as a CDM too. Despite the World Cup, he's come back playing at his best'.
Competition
“If I have to discuss every player who gets put on the bench, I'll get tired pretty quickly. My door is always open if they need to talk. This group of players doesn't ask for too many explanations. They understand the situation and know there is real competition in this squad. Generally, my office is a pretty empty place”.
Coming from behind
“We have 90 minutes to come back. It will be an evenly matched game and I couldn't say who is favourite. Tiny margins will make the difference”.
Head-to-heads
“This game isn't a head-to-head between coaches. Barça have beaten us three times this season so now it's time for us to beat them'.
Choosing his system
“It's not easy for a team to change their system. The most dangerous thing is to surprise your own players and I wouldn't advise doing that. Smaller details can spring a surprise, like from set-pieces'.
Negreira Case
“It's a matter that is being investigated and it's best we leave it as such. I'm going to think about preparing for the game, not the referees. All I'm focused on is getting ready for the game and winning it”.
“The idea is not to lose your head over the first goal because you can score with 90 minutes on the clock. The key thing is to control the game both with and without the ball. We did that in the first leg. We didn't create enough but we have to be more clinical and quicker in the transition. You could score in the last five minutes and then concede twice. If you deliver a complete performance, the goal will come'.
The squad's focus
“I see the players every day. They're fully focused and motivated. You may think that coming to the end of a contract could affect players but that isn't the case for Asensio, Ceballos or Nacho. They're showing just that, because Asensio played brilliantly against Valladolid. I don't have to tell them anything, they're all absolute professionals'.
Individual situations
“Each player has to assess their role. When they come to the end of a contract, they have to weigh up the position they hold in the squad. If you want to renew the deal, that means you're happy with your role and motivated. It's an agreement between the player and the club'.
Playing out from the back
“Rüdiger is fine and he trained today. He trained on his own yesterday but he's ready to play. Each player has their different attributes. Alaba helps us more in terms of bringing the ball out, but to do that well you have to consider the combinations and ensure the players are well positioned. The goalkeeper has the most important role in that sense”.
Choosing the perfect XI
“Choosing a starting eleven is very difficult because there are lots of players who deserve to start. Sometimes there are 14 or 15. Tchouameni gives us a lot in a defensive sense, in cutting balls out or with his pressing. With the ball in tight spaces, Camavinga has real quality and it's harder to press him. He's really made the most of his chance. He has played at full-back and as a CDM too. Despite the World Cup, he's come back playing at his best'.
Competition
“If I have to discuss every player who gets put on the bench, I'll get tired pretty quickly. My door is always open if they need to talk. This group of players doesn't ask for too many explanations. They understand the situation and know there is real competition in this squad. Generally, my office is a pretty empty place”.
Coming from behind
“We have 90 minutes to come back. It will be an evenly matched game and I couldn't say who is favourite. Tiny margins will make the difference”.
Head-to-heads
“This game isn't a head-to-head between coaches. Barça have beaten us three times this season so now it's time for us to beat them'.
Choosing his system
“It's not easy for a team to change their system. The most dangerous thing is to surprise your own players and I wouldn't advise doing that. Smaller details can spring a surprise, like from set-pieces'.
Negreira Case
“It's a matter that is being investigated and it's best we leave it as such. I'm going to think about preparing for the game, not the referees. All I'm focused on is getting ready for the game and winning it”.