MADRID, 4 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has assured that the team is “much better” than weeks ago and that “the good feelings have returned”, something that they will try to confirm this Sunday against RCD Mallorca, in addition to defending the professionalism of Vinícius and to deny that some players have asked to go to the white club in this winter market.
“In recent games we have done well, the game against Real has not been good. The team did well in the Super Cup defeat, we have won both Copa del Rey games against strong rivals, we have won in Bilbao. .. The good feelings have returned. We have had unpredictable injuries, but in general the team is much better”, he declared at a press conference.
For this reason, he recognized that they are more focused “on the evaluation of fatigue.” “Much more than physical work is recovery. The games help us improve our physical condition. The work of the physios and doctors at this time is much more important than that of the coach. If you are Catholic, praying a little comes well”, he joked, before showing his discomfort at the time of the game against Mallorca. “It does not seem correct to play in less than 72 hours. Resting 72 hours is the minimum. Playing on Sunday at two does not seem correct to me,” he said.
On the other hand, he insisted on the professionalism of Vinícius, protagonist in recent days due to the kick received from Gabriel Paulista. “Vinícius is going to prepare the game as always, trying to contribute and putting his quality on the field. He doesn’t need me to talk to him because he is very focused on what he has to do,” he said. “For me he is a great footballer. My grandchildren all like Vinícius; youngsters like that type of player who has quality, who is spectacular with the ball. My four grandchildren have Vinícius’s shirt and they don’t want another one” , he confessed.
In another order of things, he confirmed that the German David Alaba “is fine and is available” for this Sunday, but announced the casualties of Éder Militao and Karim Benzema. “Militao and Karim are doing tests, it doesn’t seem like anything serious, but for tomorrow they are ruled out. I think they will travel with us to the World Cup,” he revealed.
Regarding the Uruguayan Fede Valverde, he assured that “he is much better”. “We don’t have to think that he has to score in every game. What we ask him is that he put his energy into the team. Little by little he is arriving,” he pointed out.
On the other hand, the transalpine coach flatly denied that there have been players who asked to be signed by Real Madrid. “Saying that some players have asked to come here is not true,” he said, without wanting to assess the possible renewals of some players on the squad.
“I don’t pay attention to the renovations, I pay attention to their professionalism, what they contribute, the enthusiasm they have. They are very professional. They will discuss the issue of the renewal with the club”, he stated, and praised the work of one of them, Dani Ceballos. “He is doing very well, he is a high-quality interior, very serious on the field, he plays with a lot of personality. Hopefully he can continue,” he wished. “The general idea is that legends like Karim stay until the end of his career,” he added.
Finally, Ancelotti warned of the danger of his rival this Sunday. “It’s a team that defends very well and enjoys counters, a very solid back, they’re having a very nice season. Handling the ball well is going to be the key to the game,” he concluded.