Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of Real Madrid’s seventh Champions League game of the season, against RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. He was asked about rumors of him leaving the club, to which he said: “No… no… I want to be very clear: I will never decide when I will leave this club, never in my life. One day that moment will come, but I don’t know when it will be. It’s not up to me to decide. It could be tomorrow, in a few games, a year, five years… Florentino will be here for four more years and my goal is to reach Florentino’s four years. And so we can say goodbye together (laughs).”
Ancelotti on the game against Salzburg
“It’s an important one, obviously, because the League Phase is almost over. We have to add as much as possible… and see. Tomorrow’s game is vital. We’ll try to play well, like we did against Las Palmas.”
Ancelotti on where the team is in quality
“It’s hard to say. We’re doing very well offensively, but we need to improve a lot defensively. This will be the key to success this season. If we do it, we’ll fight until the end in all competitions.”
Ancelotti on whether top 8 is possible
“There aren’t many options, but the only one is to win the two remaining matches. If we have to play the round of 32, we will do it 100%. Taking into account that the schedule will be even more demanding, but we are used to it.”
Ancelotti on whether he feels he does not get recognition
“Wow… I don’t think so. I feel very loved in all aspects: fans, club, media level. Everything. Sometimes it gets a bit exaggerated, but as I said the other day, I want to be quite objective. Nothing more. To continue in my line.”
Ancelotti on Mbappé
“At first, he was more likely to switch positions with Vinicius, because Vini also likes to play inside. But as the days went by… he became less so. Bellingham has become more out of position and everything is going better now. Goals are not scored from the outside; you can do it, but you need more touches. If you play more inside, one run and one touch is enough. And that is what Mbappé has done many times. Because his greatest virtue is his run.”
Ancelotti on Mbappé saying he used to think too much
“So? Think less. You have to go back to basics in situations like this. When a player is not able to bring out his best, he complicates the plays. And this is wrong. You have to simplify, not complicate.”
Ancelotti on whether he is envious of Pep because of the signings
“No, not at all. We have a very complete squad and, taking into account what happened last year, when the absences raised the level of commitment, we found inspiration. We are ready for this year.”
Ancelotti on the new UCL format
“Still… it’s difficult to say. For now, the fact that we have two more games makes me a little more against it, but it’s something new and, when something new comes along, you have to evaluate it calmly. After these two games, we will evaluate it carefully.”
