Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of the La Liga game against Athletic Club de Bilbao, and was asked who would take a penalty if one was awarded, after Kylian Mbappé missed against Liverpool and then allowed Jude Bellingham to step up against Getafe. The coach responded, “tomorrow they will both choose, Bellingham or Mbappé. One of the two will choose who is in the best condition to take the penalty. I think this is not a matter of debate. There are two sides. Mbappé’s action in the penalty with Getafe was an action that someone can see as an insecurity, but we see it as an act of responsibility and altruism and these are two aspects for us very important. The altruism of a great talent like Mbappé is an act that we value very much.”
Ancelotti on facing Athletic Club
“It will be a demanding and complicated match, in a great atmosphere and against a great rival. We are in a good moment and we will try to get the best out of ourselves, because the objective of winning the match can only be achieved with our best version. Athletic is doing very well. They are an intense team, very well organized and with individual qualities. One of the best teams in Spain.”
Ancelotti on Aurélien Tchouameni’s fitness and possible position
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.
Ancelotti on Kylian Mbappé again
“For me, yes. The act of altruism we value very much, because a player with an extraordinary talent, perhaps the greatest in football, puts it for the team. This is an act that I personally value very much.”
Ancelotti on accusations of Mbappé lacking courage
“I value it as such, for me it is a very important act for the team and the teammates. All of us in the dressing room and in the club value it as a great act of altruism. When there is altruism and talent, it means you are on the right path.”
Ancelotti on the defensive role of the right winger
“The right winger has more defensive duties, just like the left winger, that’s why we don’t always play a winger. Sometimes we put a midfielder or an inside player, like Bellingham on the left wing. Brahim has this characteristic, he can play very well as a winger, but also help the team a lot defensively. We have to adapt the characteristics to the system we put on the field.”
Ancelotti on Raúl Asencio
“He has shown himself to be a reliable central defender. He absolutely does not lack knowledge of the position. He is very well positioned, confident and motivated. He has contributed a lot in these four games. If one day I have to put him on the bench, I’ll have to think about it.”
Ancelotti on Botafoga as a possible opponent in the Intercontinental Cup
“I watched the match. A fantastic atmosphere, I loved it, an incredible first minute. Botafogo’s attitude and commitment was extraordinary. They played a fantastic match. I’m happy for Allan [whom I coached at Napoli], and also for Botafogo, a historic club in Brazilian soccer. If they go through, they have to fight other matches to reach the Intercontinental final against us. But congratulations to everyone, because it was a great success. After being down to ten men for the whole game, they made an extraordinary effort.”
Ancelotti on Tchouameni
“What we have to think is that it’s good that he’s back. It’s important to bring the squad back a bit and nothing more. Aurélien has shown usefulness at the defensive level, as a central defender or pivot. He is a very, very important player for us, because he also gives us height on set pieces, an important aspect of the game in which we have suffered. With the absence of Militao, Tchouameni and Camavinga, we lose height.”
Ancelotti on Dani Ceballos’ performances
“Ceballos has done like Asencio. He has entered the field and has shown all his quality and a lot of attitude. He is a different player to the other midfielders, more handling and control, less energy, but he handles the ball very well, also because he has a lot of personality. He’s not worried about touching the ball, he’s right on the ball and he’s bringing quality to the game.”
Ancelotti on how he feels
“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 are going to win something, but you have to be in the fight and, despite the great emergency we have had, we are there, fighting and fighting as always. When Vinicius, Camavinga, Alaba... come back, we will fight even more.”
Ancelotti on Jude Bellingham’s improvement
“I think a better dynamic that we have 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, and the individual improvement of some players, especially Mbappé, has allowed us to open up more space in the final third and Jude has taken advantage of this. It’s not that his position has changed, because I only put two games on the right just to adapt Mbappé’s position, but then his position has always been the same as last year.”
Ancelotti on Ferland Mendy being benched
“These are purely technical decisions, taking into account all the confidence I have in a player who has allowed us to win two Champions League titles. Fran is doing very well, he is contributing a lot offensively, he is good in defense and he has taken advantage of the opportunity I have given him.”
Ancelotti on whether Asencio has surprised him
“Yes, I have been surprised, especially the maturity he has, the tranquility he has to handle game situations. He is never worried, you never see him with fear, he is very confident. He has already passed the test of fire, he can be considered a player of our squad with all the merit, because he deserves it.”