Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti launched a scathing attack on La Liga president Javier Tebas in his press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Sociedad. “Tebas talks too much about Real Madrid and disrespects millions of Madridistas,” he said. “There are more important issues in Spanish football and the La Liga president should focus on solving them.”
Ancelotti on Real Sociedad
“It has always been difficult to play against Real Sociedad. They are in a good moment. It’s a semi-final and it’s important for us and for them. It’s going to be a very competitive, evenly matched and entertaining game. They are playing very well and we want to continue our momentum.
Ancelotti on Mbappé’s fitness
“Mbappé is travelling. He had a problem with his tooth and couldn’t train. Everyone who travels has a chance to play. Also Endrick.”
Ancelotti on Arda Güler needing to be patient
“All the players who have doubts can come to the office to talk to me. He wants to play like everyone else. It’s a process, in which he is like all the players who have been young, like Vinicius, Rodrygo, Valverde.”
Ancelotti on his critics going quiet
“It’s a problem of seniority. We veterans are like grandparents who sometimes get tired of talking every day. Some people are tired of seeing my face every day. I understand that, but the grandfather, the veteran? I consider myself a child, I have the enthusiasm of a child. Age alone condemns me. Young people can’t have experience, it only comes with time. It’s not the only thing. It’s also knowledge. But after 40 years of football, I understand something.”
Ancelotti on whether Fede Valverde could play at right-back
“Valverde could return to right-back. We’ll have to see what kind of line-up I make. I’m not going to think about it, I’ve already thought about it, but I’m not going to say it.”
Ancelotti on Luka Modrić’s future
“I don’t go into that. It’s a club issue with the players. It was with Nacho, with Kroos, with Modrić himself… The legend has the right to do what he wants. This is the club’s idea. They will make the best decision for everyone.”
Ancelotti on David Alaba
“Alaba played 70 minutes, the knee is fine, perfect. He was very good, very comfortable. He is completely recovered. He is a player who is back after 14 months.”
Ancelotti on whether Tebas should be “ashamed” as a Real Madrid fan
“I don’t know how ashamed he is. I think everyone is proud to be a fan of this club.”
Ancelotti on Raúl Asencio
“If I said Asencio had technical weaknesses, I was wrong. He is young and we work with him as we do with all the young players in the youth academy. The youngster learns a lot. We haven’t worked on the technical side with him, we’ve worked on the tactical side. Sometimes aggressiveness is not the best thing to do, especially in the penalty area. You can get a penalty. But we have worked on this. He’s doing very well. Raúl has been a surprise for everyone, really. For me too.”
Ancelotti on his staff and team
“There is a good atmosphere. Mbappé has arrived with humility, with a very low profile. The atmosphere has improved, there is a lot more confidence because one of the best in the world has arrived. In terms of ego, nothing has changed. We lost important pieces in terms of personality that have to be replaced. We lost Nacho, Kroos, Carvajal…. These pieces form the environment and little by little the youngsters like Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde, Vini or Rodrygo have to take more prominence.”
Ancelotti on the ‘Negreira Case’
“I can’t answer that. I see that there is a procedure and people are waiting for the resolution. Football has been patient and we have to continue to be patient. In the end there will be a judicial resolution.”
Ancelotti on the team’s form
“Considering the absurd calendar we have, we are doing very well. All the teams that are fighting, struggling, are doing very well. In 50 days, we’re back to where we were when I was playing, 17 games. It’s unbelievable. I’m getting tired and you’re getting tired. From what I hear and see. We need rest.”
Ancelotti on Endrick
“He’s not going to be Rodrygo or Vinicius, he has different characteristics. He’s going to be a great striker, I have no doubt. There is no Endrick case at the moment, let’s see what happens!”
Ancelotti on comparing Tebas to other league bosses
“I really don’t remember. It’s a conflict. When I was at Milan, the president of the league was Galliani and I can’t even touch him. For me, Galliani was always right and he is always right. He is the best league president in the world.”
