Ancelotti: “It's an important game in terms of group qualification”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the Real Madrid City press room the day before the Champions League matchday two clash between Real Madrid and Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabéu (Wednesday9pm CEST). The coach said: "It's an important game in terms of group qualification. Leipzig have had problems at the beginning of the season, but they played very well in their last game against Dortmund, hey've got a lot of quality and speed up front we'll try to put in a good performance and win the game".

"Leipzig have a very dangerous forward line. Not just Werner. Nkunku played very well last season and he's playing very well this season too. Szoboszlai too. Forsberg is very experienced. They're a very dangerous team if you give them the chance to show their quality. It's going to be very important for us to defend well tomorrow, but also to play well in attack".
 
25 years since his first Champions League match
"This team has no limits. I wasn't aware that it's been 25 years since my first game. I've had a lot of happiness and excitement in this competition, as well as some sad times. But a lot of happiness has come because I've been very successful. The squad I've got can fight to win this competition and we're going to compete. You never know what's going to happen".

Words of praise for Rüdiger
"He's brought experience, motivation and the desire to win. He's a solid defender, focused and hard-working. Our defence is better with him in".

Benzema's recovery
"He's coming along well and there's a chance he'll be back for Sunday. He could play against Atlético if there are no doubts".
 
Criticism of Vini Jr.
"He's doing well and in good shape. He's fully recovered from Sunday's game and we're not talking about the Mallorca game and what happened. We don't need to talk about it. He's improved a lot since last year. Every player has their own character and the most important thing for him is to focus on the game and nothing else".

"He's a top player, who displays all his talent and quality. I'm not deaf or a fool. I can hear people talking and it's not an issue for us or him. He has outstanding quality and it's understandable that the opposition will try to stop him. He plays with respect and there are rules that try to protect all footballers".

Vini Jr. and Rodygo called up for Brazil
"I've got a good relationship with Tite. We haven't spoken yet but it's quite obvious what they've both done and he's taking that into consideration for the national team".

Asensio
"He's neither a youngster nor a veteran. He needs to stick at it and the reaction to his disappointment has been good. He trained well yesterday and today and that happens after you get angry. There are two ways to react: to throw the towel in or to train better. He did the latter and has a chance to play tomorrow".

Hazard's form
"He's doing what we asked of him over the last two games. We've been able to cover Karim's absence with Hazard in the first game and the first half of the second game and with Rodrygo in the second game. Hazard performed well and so did the team. That's the most important thing. The team has performed because we've scored seven goals without Karim".

Mbappé
"We're thrilled with the players we've got up front, especially the young ones. We're thrilled with Karim, but the young player comes on and are much more excited than the ones who're used to it. We're delighted with Vini Jr. and Rodrygo and aren't thinking about anyone else at the moment".