Ancelotti: "It's a crucial game in the battle to win LaLiga"
"Our priority is the match against Mallorca and we are just as confident as we were a few days ago," highlighted the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press in the media room at Real Madrid City on the eve of the LaLiga leaders' trip to Mallorca (Saturday, 6:30pm CEST). The Italian boss assessed the matchday 31 encounter: "It will be a tough game, as ever, they will fight hard. We're up against a very committed team who have shown an incredible attitude as a unit. We're expecting an intense game and we have to try and match the things the opposition do superbly well, which is their collective commitment."
“Rodrygo didn't train because he took a knock yesterday, but he'll be available. The whole squad is ready. Our priority is tomorrow's game. We have a lot to play for this week. Our confidence is just the same as it was a few days ago, unchanged, but we have to remember that tomorrow is a crucial game in the battle to win LaLiga."
On Modrić
“I think he's in the best possible shape from a fitness perspective, he's doing really well. He's showing that every time he takes to the pitch, whether that's in the starting XI or from the bench. He looks really fit to me right now."
Criticism for Bellingham
“The goals he was scoring have dropped off a bit. It was a surprise for everyone when he hit 20 goals in the first part of the season. Now he's doing his job as a midfielder or a number 10, he's not a centre forward. His performance levels have not dropped. He's not lacking anything. He'll get back to scoring goals again sooner or later."
The Manchester City match
“I have my opinions, as everyone will. The good thing about football is that there's no university. Each person can have an opinion, but there are no exams. If I take a medical exam, they'll tell me: go and study and come back in September. In football, everyone is free to make their own assessments of a game."
Nacho's experience
“He's played a lot of games and has been hugely important to us, because he's Nacho, the ever-reliable player. When you play so many games, you run the risk of making lots of mistakes too, but he's still a player full of confidence, experience and personality. He's been so useful for us and will continue to be in the upcoming games."
Fitness
“The fitness data from after the game with Manchester City look good. We were in great shape physically. We dropped off a bit in the second half but that was also because we were 2-1 up and wanted to hold onto that. There are no issues in that sense."
Vini Jr. through the middle and Rodrygo out left?
“That's an option. Vini Jr. is a very humble guy, he's seen that it could be useful for the team and so he's played down the centre. He understands that he doesn't need to see so much of the ball down there to get on the scoresheet. A single, quick movement is enough, and he does that really well. I spoke to both of them when making the decision and they agreed."
Where is he happiest?
“I'm happy here, in Madrid. The good fortune Madrid has is the weather, the people and, first and foremost, Real Madrid”.
El rendimiento de las estrellas europeas
“We have to relax a little bit. Perhaps these big stars haven't delivered their best displays in the first games but there are more matches to come and we have to be careful with Haaland, Mbappé and Bellingham.”
Mallorca
“I'm not sure how the Copa final defeat will affect Mallorca. I doubt it will have too much influence because they have a big challenge, which is to ensure their survival as soon as possible. For us, it's a key game in trying to win the league as quickly as we can."
Tchouameni
“We've seen during these spells that he can play at centre-back and he's another resource available to us, given he's also an incredible defensive midfielder."
On Militão
“They're all available and I will put the best team out, Militão included. We have to think about it carefully, but he's in good shape physically because he's worked incredibly hard. If I think a player looks fit, I won't be counting the number of minutes he's played. I put Khedira in to play a Champions League final when he hadn't played even a single minute, because I thought he looked in great shape. Militão can't play the full 90 minutes but he can last for a good spell and do a fantastic job."