Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press ahead of Saturday’s La Liga game against Real Valladolid and while Vinícius Júnior is suspended for the tie, many of the questions surrounded his future. When asked about a possible €300 million offer from Saudi Arabia, Ancelotti responded, “what I know for sure, that I have direct information, is that he is very happy here. And that he wants to make history here. We are all on that line.”
Ancelotti on the team’s current form
“The objective is clear: we’ve become leaders and it’s time to keep our position. It’s an important moment in La Liga and we have to take advantage of it.”
Ancelotti on whether he’ll rotate against Valladolid
“We give the match the importance it deserves: it’s very important. We have to keep the lead. And I’m going to field the best possible team. It’s a demanding schedule, but we have a good rhythm. And it’s time to keep going.”
Ancelotti on whether speculation could affect Vinícius
“He’s the same as always. Not playing tomorrow will be good for him to recover, to work calmly. He will take advantage of these days. And he’ll be fresh at the key moment.”
Ancelotti on whether people are right to say Real Madrid can play without Vinícius
“I think they’ve forgotten that we’ve already won two Champions League titles with him. That’s my opinion. He is an indisputable player, without a doubt.”
Ancelotti on being under pressure
“I don’t feel that pressure, no. There are better and worse moments, nothing more. I feel good, with a lot of confidence. We can do well.”
Ancelotti on Thibaut Courtois’ possible return to the Belgian national team
“It’s something for him to assess. If he wants to come back, we have no problem. Not at all. It will be something Thibaut will discuss with the coach.”
Ancelotti on Fede Valverde
“Obviously he is a complete player, very, very important. He can cover many positions and in all of them he does it perfectly: pivot, inside… it is very difficult to find a right back like him. It’s difficult to choose his best position, so I try to choose his best position in the team. If he is needed more as a right-back, he will play there, if he is a midfielder, there. He never makes any demands and this is also a virtue. He is probably the most complete player in the world at the moment. He could be a center back, without any problem.”
Ancelotti on whether he would understand Vinícius being tempted by Saudi Arabia
“You would have to ask him. I can say what I see: a happy player, who is making history and who wants to continue.”
Ancelotti on Dani Ceballos’ good form
“Ceballos has contributed a lot in this period. He’s back to his best version, after several muscular problems and now he’s looking very good. He looks more confident on the ball. He can play in the important games, of course he can.”
Ancelotti on whether questions about Vinícius’ future bother him
“No, no! These days I’ve been getting too angry at press conferences… and I shouldn’t do it. And I know why. It’s something I’ve thought about these days. No, I’m not bothered by Vinícius’ questions.”
Ancelotti on Tchouameni’s fitness
“Tchouameni is fine, he’s back. And the rest are also fine. Only Camavinga will be missing, he will be available very soon, maybe next week.”
Ancelotti on the team accepting a more defensive mindset
“Yes. It’s something we’ve talked about a lot in recent periods and we’ll continue to do so. We are focusing on improving at the back, the team understands that and is doing it, without a doubt. They are aware that it is the key to success.”
Ancelotti on what’s behind Rodrygo’s good form
“His continuity. Something he didn’t have in the past, where he stood out a lot some days and others, less. Now he is more continuous in the game and that makes him stand out. It’s normal for a striker to have ups and downs, it’s true, but when you get the numbers he’s getting now, with continuity, you can see that.”
Ancelotti on whether there’s a change of approach with young players
“No, I’m still the same. The idea is always the same: to win. If it’s with youth players, fine, because they deserve to play. They are taking advantage of the opportunities that injuries have opened up, for now. Asencio, Jacobo, Loren… they are people who are taking advantage of the injuries we have had.”
