Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of their match vs Espanyol on Saturday. He was asked about Rodrygo’s links to Saudi Arabia as of late, to which he said: “I find it difficult to talk about the future of the players, because they are personal decisions. But what I see is that those who are here are very happy and want to stay as long as possible. They want to win titles, contribute. Then, what each one thinks individually, I don’t know. It’s hard for me to talk about my future, imagine that of the players! What I see, as well as what I hear, is that there are many who would like to be in Rodrygo’s place, as in Vinicius’s. Because there are many players who want to play in this club, in this team, with this shirt. Many, many. Now, I don’t like to give names, but there are a lot of players who want to come here. Some, even, that nobody would suspect. Because this is the history and the strength of this club. Imagine the coaches who also want to come here!”
Ancelotti on the match vs Espanyol
“A difficult, complicated match, as always. It is an important moment in the League for everyone, because the final stretch is looming. We are still quite far from it, but the points, when it gets closer, start to be more important, even more so than those of the first few days. We have the advantage at the moment and we want to keep it.”
Ancelotti on the season depending on the playoff
“The season can depend on each match. If you lose in the League or are eliminated in the Cup, it affects the season. Obviously. We must not think about this, but about playing the matches that we must play. And there are many. I repeat, too many, I repeat. From today, until the March break (16th) we have 13 matches. There are a lot and we must think that each one can be vital. Because each one, from today, starts to be vital. In each match we will play a lot of the season.”
Ancelotti on whether there will be a difference in preparation if it is City or Celtic
“There is no preparation [laughs]. When you play every three days, there is preparation for the four, five or six players who have not participated. That is where we have to work and we do. But for the rest… there is no preparation, but recovery. It is about ‘recovery, video, match’; ‘recovery, video, match’. And so on, for 40 days, for the majority of the players. Our job is to have those who play a little less ready, prepared and motivated, because they are going to be indispensable in this part of the season. So let’s understand the rotation of some players, because it will be to keep the whole squad motivated. Because I need all of them.
“It doesn’t change the plan. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t play them, but we failed and couldn’t get into the Top-8. They will be entertaining, that I can say. And we have the resources to overcome them.”
Ancelotti on Rodrygo’s performances on the left
“It’s a good question, because there can be debate here. He feels very comfortable there, but he has also contributed a lot on the right. He is a complete player and, although we are aware that he prefers to play on the left, someone, for the good of the team, has to make sacrifices. And Rodrygo has always done so. He has always put the good of the team first.
“Football enjoys Rodrygo’s quality. For the good of the team, I have to clarify the positions. It hasn’t gone badly, so far. And it won’t in the future.”
Ancelotti on whether there will be signings
“No, no, no! I’m not confirming anything! I’m just waiting for this window to end. I have to say thank you, because you haven’t asked me many times about transfers. I really appreciate it. From tomorrow, everything will be clearer.”
Ancelotti on whether Saudi Arabia’s mentality to sign players is changing
“They have the 2034 World Cup and the right to use football to give a good image of the country. I don’t see anything strange. Saudi Arabia has a very serious project, very serious; because it is a very strong country with many fans. And although it is clear that it is a project that has just started, they are improving it with the signing of important players. Football, like the world, has become globalized. And there is nothing strange about Saudi Arabia being able to organize a World Cup in 2034… because football is not from Europe, but something worldwide. So they have every right to use sport to spread a good image of the country.”
Ancelotti on how the team is doing mentally and physically
“I didn’t say I wanted to get to January alive, but to get through. And we have done that. We are better than in December, we are coming off a very good run, with 12 wins in the last 14 games. But we have to keep going. There are so many games that each one could be a trap. And that is what we don’t want. We have to move forward in this good dynamic. We cannot allow ourselves to go backwards.”
