Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti gave a press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey clash with Celta Vigo on Wednesday with incredible tension, with the Italian’s rage from the Super Cup final defeat still clear. “I have to make one thing clear. This is a press conference and not a debate, the debate is with the coaching staff and my players,” he responded when asked whether he thought attitude issues could be behind the defeat on Sunday. “Opening a debate here doesn’t seem to me to be the most appropriate place.”
Ancelotti on the first game of 2025 at the Bernabéu
“It’s an important opportunity after the bad game we played, which hurt us a lot. But we are not sunk. We have to react. This match is good against a rival that plays well. I hope the team can have a strong reaction after the match the other day.”
Ancelotti on Tchouameni
“I’m still convinced that Tchouameni has done well as a central defender. That’s what the data speaks for, and bearing in mind that it’s not his ideal position. The moment we don’t have the emergency at the back and Alaba comes back, he will return to his place as a pivot.”
Ancelotti on defeat to Barcelona
“It’s a step backwards, but we have to move forward. There is a season left in which we are well positioned in all competitions. It was a bad game, we made a lot of mistakes. We have evaluated it and found the solution. We have to move on.”
Ancelotti on whether he needs commitment from the club
The lack of commitment is collective, not individual. The evaluation of the game was a bad game defensively on all lines. And nothing more to add.
Ancelotti on how this squad is better than last season
“It has youth, energy, quality, commitment? It’s not always able to show it, but it’s a squad of absolute value and I have full confidence in it. They have won the Intercontinental, the European Cup, they are competing. It was a bad game… We paid the bill for all the good things we have done, it was an expensive bill, but it was a game. We are going to fight and fight until the end, as always. Everyone can give their opinion, I still have total confidence in all my players, especially in those who are not playing their best at the moment.”
Ancelotti on what criticism hurts him the most
“Nothing bothers me. The team has worked well. It doesn’t bother me, because it’s not the truth.”
Ancelotti on how Mbappé has improved
“He needed time to adapt to the team and get back to his physical best. Now he’s in a very good moment and the team has to take advantage of that.”
Ancelotti on the transfer window
“The idea has not changed. We talked with the club to make the team more competitive, but talking here about what I talk about with the club doesn’t seem right to me.”
Ancelotti on whether it’s difficult to be him
“No, not at all. The most beautiful place in the world is, on a professional level, where I am, on the Real Madrid bench. It’s the place where all coaches want to be one day. My position is the best in the world.”
Ancelotti on handling the situation in the dressing room
“The good thing about football is that after a bad game, after a defeat like that, there is an opportunity to do well, which is tomorrow, and it gives you the chance to focus a lot on what you have to do and not on the bad things you have done.”
Ancelotti on whether the team needs reinforcements
“I’m not answering you.”
Ancelotti on who will play against Celta Vigo
“Everyone has recovered well. Maybe something will change, but in general I think the idea is to put the best team possible.”
Ancelotti on who will play in goal
“Yes, Lunin will play.”
Ancelotti on whether this is a moment for players or for the coach
“The word commitment is used many times, because it is a very important aspect of the game. Added to quality is what makes you successful. We have lacked commitment from everyone together, because the most important thing is to put individual commitment together, that’s what happened to us in the match against Barcelona.”
Ancelotti on Asencio at right-back
“He is a central defender. It takes time to work on him as a right-back, because he’s not used to it. He came in for the first time two months ago, he has played good games, he has shown that he can play, but he has only been with us for two months.”
Ancelotti on why he doesn’t smile
“I don’t follow the wave of criticism, that one day you are the best in the world and another the most everything. I have the necessary balance, which has given me the experience, to know who I am and not get carried away by the wave, because otherwise one day you are the best and another you are the dumbest… I don’t think I’m the best, but I don’t think I’m the dumbest either.”
