Charles Ancelotti he spoke a short while ago in a press conference on the eve of the match against Alaves: “We are in a good moment and we must continue like this, keeping in mind that in every match you have to fight and suffer”.
How is Bellingham?
“He’s recovered, although he needs a shoulder protector to be more safe. He can play and will play. Carvajal, on the other hand, needs a few more days.”
Will Mbappé rest and Endrick play?
“You’ll see tomorrow. But there will be rotations. Endrick is doing well wherever I put him: forward, winger… he’s always very good. I ask him to be patient and he understands it perfectly, because he trains and lives every day with the best forwards in the world. He has understood his role and I really say that he is gaining many positions. His professionalism is very high, he is a very mature person. We are happy: he will play his minutes, his games”.
Only one goal in the first half, how do you explain that?
“It’s a fact that attracts attention and we talked about it before the match against Espanyol. We had to put a little more intensity, understanding however that teams drop in the second half and there are spaces”.
How is it possible that a team that “plays so badly” hasn’t lost in 38 games?
“I can’t explain it to you (laughs, ed.). For me we don’t play badly; the most striking thing is that Real Madrid, in these years, hasn’t had a single identity: low block, transitions, ball possession… we’ve tried everything. The fact of not having a clear identity makes you think that we don’t have “a game”. And it’s true. We have many”.
Tomorrow you will celebrate 300 games with Real Madrid.
“I have had the great fortune of coaching great clubs, like Milan, for which I have a special affection. But Real Madrid is the best club in the world, there is no doubt about that. Being on this bench 300 times, I don’t say it’s a miracle, but almost.”
Have you already decided when to retire?
“No. I like doing this job and my effort is not comparable to that of the players. Maybe mental, because it is true that there is pressure and responsibility, but I like it. For now I have no expiration date. I will continue, I would like to coach for many years”.
How many more injuries do you have to have before someone does something?
“I want to tell you that I am very sad about the injury of important players like Ter Stegen, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I hope he recovers soon. At the moment we can’t do much, because as I said nothing will change this season, but we can reflect. The world of football must do so.”
What do you think about Mendy’s situation? For you he is the “best in the world in defense” but he is often not called up to the national team.
“We are very happy, he renewed his contract. He is doing very well, his defensive level is very high. It’s not that he has difficulty with the ball, but I don’t ask him to do the job that other full-backs do. We have a very strong left winger, so there is no need to ask much of him in the offensive phase. He could do it, but we don’t ask him to. It’s better for him to stay back because sometimes he has to work in inferiority.”