Having reduced the gap to the top of the table to just one point, Real Madrid will be gunning for another win when they take on Athletic Club on Wednesday in La Liga.
Despite losing to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, Los Blancos bounced back with a 2-0 win over Getafe at the weekend and will be eager to pick up all three points against Ernesto Valverde’s men at San Mames tomorrow.
On the eve of the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media as part of his pre-match press conference, discussing various topics including the club’s penalty-takers and the explosion of Raul Asencio.
Kicking things off with the challenges that Athletic Club will pose, the Italian said: “It will be a demanding and complicated match, in a great atmosphere and against a great opponent. We are in a good moment and we hope to get the best out of ourselves.
“Athletic are doing very well. They are an intense team, very well organised and with unforgettable qualities. One of the best teams in Spain.”
After seeing Kylian Mbappe giving up the penalty to Jude Bellingham in the previous match, Ancelotti was asked about who is the team’s designated penalty-taker, to which he replied:
“Tomorrow they will choose both, Bellingham or Mbappe. I think this is not a matter of debate.
“Mbappe’s action in the penalty with Getafe is an image in which one can see some insecurity, but we see it as an act of responsibility and selflessness and these are two very important aspects for us. The selflessness of a great talent like Mbappe is an act that we value very highly.”
On being asked if these gestures of unselfishness from players makes them great, Ancelotti said:
“For me, yes. We value the act of selflessness very much, it can be the greatest talent in football and that extraordinary talent is put to good use for the team. It’s something I value very highly.”
“I appreciate it, it’s a very important act for the team and the teammates. Everyone in the dressing room and in the club values it. When there is selflessness and talent, it means you are on the right path,” he added.
The Real Madrid boss then confirmed that Aurelien Tchouameni has recovered from injury and available for tomorrow, although he refused to reveal whether the Frenchman would play in midfield or defence.
“He is very well, he has trained and recovered well. He’s ready to play from the first minute. We’ll see tomorrow where I’ll put him,” said Ancelotti.
Tchouameni is back. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Further discussing Tchouameni’s return, he added: “What we have to think is that it’s good that he’s back. This is important to add a bit to the squad and nothing more.
“Aurelien has shown his usefulness at defensive level, as a centre-back or pivot. He is a very important player for us, because he also gives us height at set pieces, an important aspect of the game in which we have suffered.”
The Italian head coach then had words of praise for breakthrough youngster Raul Asencio, saying:
“He has shown himself to be a reliable centre-back. He doesn’t lack the knowledge of the position. He is positioned, confident, motivated. He has contributed a lot in these four games. If one day I have to put him on the bench, I have to think about it.”
On whether he has been surprised by the youngster’s level, he replied: “Yes, I have been surprised, above all by his maturity, the calmness he has to handle situations in the game.
“He has already passed the litmus test, he can be considered a player in our squad with all the merit, because he deserves it.”
The Real Madrid also spoke highly of Dani Ceballos who has made a big impression in his last two appearances in La Liga, as he said:
“Ceballos has done like Asencio. He has come on the pitch and shown all his quality. He is a different player to the other midfielders, more handling and control, less energy, but he handles the ball very well, with a lot of personality.
“He’s not worried about having the ball. He is bringing quality to the game.”
Talking about Jude Bellingham’s improved form and return to his goalscoring ways, the manager remarked:
“A better dynamic within the team has allowed him to score goals again, especially because he has always played good games.
“We have more accuracy, more clarity in possession, the individual improvement of some players, especially Mbappe, has allowed us to open up more space in the final third and Jude has taken advantage of this.”
Regarding his own mindset after a period of intense pressure, Ancelotti said: “I’m very well. Despite all the difficulties we have had in this time, we are there fighting and struggling.
“Nobody thinks that in December you can win something, but you have to be in the fight and, despite the emergency we have had, we are there, fighting as always. When Vinicius, Camavinga, Alaba… come back, we will fight even more.”
Regarding the situation at left-back, where Fran Garcia seems to be gaining favour over Ferland Mendy, Ancelotti explained:
“These are purely technical decisions, with all the confidence I have in Mendy. Fran is doing very well, he’s been right and he’s taken advantage of the opportunity I’ve given him.”
Source: AS