Ancelotti: “We're playing a crucial match and we have to perform at our best”
“We have to find a balance, defend well and show our quality on the ball,' said the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at Real Madrid City on the eve of the team's LaLiga matchday eight clash with Girona at Montilivi Saturday, 6:30pm CEST. The coach said: “We're in good shape, we're playing a crucial match against the league leaders. We will try to perform at our best and we're coming into it with morale high. We'll have Rüdiger back, it wasn't anything serious. The team is slightly fatigued but motivation is high and we're going to put on a good display.'
'We must make sure it's a complete performance in the sense the team has to be balanced, defend well and show the quality we have with the ball in order to hurt them. We're well aware of how well Girona are playing right now. Last time we went there was not a good night and we won't have a repeat of that tomorrow. Girona are playing very well but we have every chance of winning the game.'
Vini Jr,.
'He's fine and he will play from the start. We'll see how long he lasts. He could do the full 90, but it depends what we ask of him. I think he's feeling great, he's fully recovered and he'll give us a lot. The other day I told him to be careful because we didn't want to risk it. He wanted to play, he was sprinting flat out and I told him to look after himself.'
The system
'We won't change the system but we will alter certain details to improve our clinical edge and solidity.'
Rodrygo
'The problem is he hasn't got the goals that everyone thought he would. His contribution has been positive, he's the only one who's played every game. A bit of rest could be good for him.'
What do you ask of the full-backs?
“Early on this season we have asked them to play a bit further forward than usual. With the two forwards a bit further inside, the full-backs have to help out in attack to give us that width. That's especially the case when you're without the best in the world on the wing, in Vinicius.'
'We must make sure it's a complete performance in the sense the team has to be balanced, defend well and show the quality we have with the ball in order to hurt them. We're well aware of how well Girona are playing right now. Last time we went there was not a good night and we won't have a repeat of that tomorrow. Girona are playing very well but we have every chance of winning the game.'
Vini Jr,.
'He's fine and he will play from the start. We'll see how long he lasts. He could do the full 90, but it depends what we ask of him. I think he's feeling great, he's fully recovered and he'll give us a lot. The other day I told him to be careful because we didn't want to risk it. He wanted to play, he was sprinting flat out and I told him to look after himself.'
The system
'We won't change the system but we will alter certain details to improve our clinical edge and solidity.'
Rodrygo
'The problem is he hasn't got the goals that everyone thought he would. His contribution has been positive, he's the only one who's played every game. A bit of rest could be good for him.'
What do you ask of the full-backs?
“Early on this season we have asked them to play a bit further forward than usual. With the two forwards a bit further inside, the full-backs have to help out in attack to give us that width. That's especially the case when you're without the best in the world on the wing, in Vinicius.'
'It's worked well because we create a lot of chances and we've scored from crosses often. But it depends on the game. Sometimes they stay back a bit more because they're doing more defensive work. From a defensive perspective, our issue has been our inability to help out the back four. Four players aren't enough to cover the entire width of the pitch.'
Will Modrić play?
“I won't reveal the line-up here, I can't answer that question.'
Calendar
'The biggest impact on teams comes from the international competitions. We have injuries, fatigue... We don't have enough time to recover. Looking at the calendar, I'll have players who get back late on the 19th of October and we're playing on the 21st. If their flight is delayed, they'll head straight for Seville without stopping in Madrid”.
On Alaba's injury
“He underwent some tests but it's nothing serious, just a bit of discomfort. We'll try and get him back for Tuesday.”
Savinho
“He's a young player who's doing a great job. We've seen him play and he has real quality. I'd like to congratulate him because he's showing how talented he is. We have the resources, experience and ability to stop any player.'
Can Girona win LaLiga?
“We can only look at this now and give them credit for how the table looks. Girona have done better than the rest in these early games. Better than us, Barcelona and Atlético. We have to respect that. They could be in the fight because they have the advantage of not being involved in European competition and so they have the chance to prepare well every week and allow their players to recover.'
Negreira Case
“I'm concerned, as the whole football world is, by such a serious issue. The justice system is working on it and we have to let them do their job and may justice be done. I hope a solution is found.'
On Gil Marín's comments
“He was wrong to make those comments. I'm not going to get involved in an issue that makes no sense.'
Will Modrić play?
“I won't reveal the line-up here, I can't answer that question.'
Calendar
'The biggest impact on teams comes from the international competitions. We have injuries, fatigue... We don't have enough time to recover. Looking at the calendar, I'll have players who get back late on the 19th of October and we're playing on the 21st. If their flight is delayed, they'll head straight for Seville without stopping in Madrid”.
On Alaba's injury
“He underwent some tests but it's nothing serious, just a bit of discomfort. We'll try and get him back for Tuesday.”
Savinho
“He's a young player who's doing a great job. We've seen him play and he has real quality. I'd like to congratulate him because he's showing how talented he is. We have the resources, experience and ability to stop any player.'
Can Girona win LaLiga?
“We can only look at this now and give them credit for how the table looks. Girona have done better than the rest in these early games. Better than us, Barcelona and Atlético. We have to respect that. They could be in the fight because they have the advantage of not being involved in European competition and so they have the chance to prepare well every week and allow their players to recover.'
Negreira Case
“I'm concerned, as the whole football world is, by such a serious issue. The justice system is working on it and we have to let them do their job and may justice be done. I hope a solution is found.'
On Gil Marín's comments
“He was wrong to make those comments. I'm not going to get involved in an issue that makes no sense.'