After winning their eighth Club World Cup on Saturday in Rabat, Real Madrid returns tomorrow Wednesday to the league championship with the visit of Elche to the Bernabeu. The team is already with very little margin for error (eleven points behind FC Barcelona) but Carlo Ancelotti wanted to give an optimistic message at the press conference on Tuesday in Valdebebas: “I don’t need to give our fans arguments so they believe that they can overcome eleven points. Our fans know the professionalism of this team, of these players. They know that we are going to fight every game. I think that nobody thinks that we are in a critical situation”, he commented.
The Italian coach also praised the blaugrana team’s league campaign: “He’s doing very well. He’s solid and his great way of playing is being the key to success. I don’t compare him to anyone; he’s different from other teams, with players of enormous quality,” he said.
Anelotti sees his players as good: “I have a good feeling and we are delighted to be able to enjoy our fans again. The history of Real Madrid says that winning helps to win. And that is also my idea. When you win, you feel like you want to repeat it. What happened last year, precisely, is an enormous motivation. To repeat it”.
Ancelotti commented that Benzema is going to renew although it has not yet been made official: “It is true that Karim is not a child, but he will be with us next year. This is not the time to talk about the market. We are focused on the competitions, nothing more. I don’t know if he has renewed, but I repeat: the legends of Real Madrid must retire at Real Madrid”.
The Italian coach was not so strict with Toni Kroos, who also ends his contract this June: “I can’t say what will happen. He hasn’t told me, but the feeling I have is positive. That he can renew. But is a feeling…”.
Ancelotti commented that Vinícius (due to suspension) and Kroos will not be able to play against Elche: “Rodrygo will do Vinícius,” he said. Nor did Lucas Vázquez or Courtois make it to the game. Yes, Eden Hazard will enter the list.
They also asked Ancdelotti if the Brazilians ask him if he will coach the Brazil team. He insisted on the same thing: “They don’t ask me, they joke. We are friends and they laugh. But the reality is that I have a contract here until 2024.”
