[Real Madrid](https://www.managingmadrid.com) coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media in Doha, Qatar, ahead of the team’s Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca on Wednesday night. The Italian addressed a range of topics, including the criticism he has faced this eason, as he said, “As I said before: I understand it. Real Madrid came from winning last year’s league and [Champions League](https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league)... and in the summer they signed the best player in the world. So everyone thought it would be a walkover. And football is not a walkover, but to fight and fight every game. We can’t control the results, because sometimes you deserve to win and lose... or lose and win. But the criticism starts from there, from the fact that we came from a fantastic season and the best player in the world arrived. So, one plus one equals two. But it’s not always two in football.”
### **Ancelotti on**
“We’re very excited; if we’re here it’s because we’ve done very well. It’s a gift for us and for Pachuca, who have already sweated through two knockout rounds. We will try to win, to take the cup to Madrid... despite the difficulties.”
### **Ancelotti on surpassing Miguel Muñoz to win more titles than any other Real Madrid coach**
“It is something important, of course. To achieve this success. It is a symptom of having done a good job, that I have done a good job, I think I have done it. But I want to continue. It’s an honor to be compared to Miguel Munoz and the other coaches who have had the good fortune to coach the biggest club in the world.”
### **Ancelotti on Kylian Mbappé’s fitness**
“It’s simple: yesterday he trained well, good feelings. He did sprints and everything went well. Today’s is an important training session, where we will evaluate the sensations and the risk. If he is fine, talking to the doctors, he will play. If there is a minimum risk, obviously not. But the sensations yesterday were very good. We are optimistic.
### **Ancelotti on the importance of the match**
“We are better than we were a month ago. And it is a unique match, a unique occasion. We are very animated, plugged in and excited. We want to take the old Intercontinental Cup to Madrid.”
### **Ancelotti on whether he has lost control of his players**
“You’re asking me if I’ve lost control? That’s a tough question. I haven’t lost it, of course not. In football, you go through difficult moments, it has always happened. Sometimes they come in October-November and sometimes in April-May. The important thing is to be there, to keep going. If it happens in October or November, you can still salvage it and we are doing that. I am sure we will be very competitive in the second part of the season. I can assure you that I have not lost control.”
### **Ancelotti on whether he has met with the club to discuss January signings**
“No, not yet. For now, we want to get to Christmas. We will try to win this game, Sevilla and then, rest, because the team needs it. And in January we will evaluate.”
### **Ancelotti on whether he would be better as a coach if he weren’t critised**
“No, criticism is acceptable. It’s part of my job. I already said that what bothers me is personal criticism, not sporting criticism. Because I don’t always do things right, although I try. We all make mistakes sometimes. And criticism sometimes wakes you up. It’s an important part of my job; the coach is always criticised. There hasn’t been a single coach in the history of football who hasn’t been criticised. You have to understand that.”
### **Ancelotti on whether Mbappé is out of position**
“Kylian is a fantastic player and, honestly, I don’t think he’s at his best yet. In the last few games he has improved, but he’s not at his best, yet. He can play in any position: forward, left back... wherever you put him. With the quality he has, he can play wherever he wants.”
### **Ancelotti on why the team has had a poor first half of the season**
“We changed some things compared to last season: we lost balance, some injuries... and that deprived us of our best level. That’s normal when changes happen. You have to change the system, the strategy, adapt. It’s nothing new in football. I am not happy, but I am satisfied. We have improved, we have gone through difficult moments and, when this happens, the team becomes stronger.”
### **Ancelotti on whether he’s relaxed ahead of this game**
“Every match is a trap. Pachuca is a team that has made it this far and that’s because they have something. They are an opponent that deserves our respect, because of who they are and their quality. A final is always exciting, it’s a special feeling.”
### **Ancelotti on Vinícius winning The Best**
“He deserves it. He is a fantastic player and it would be a fair award after what he has done in 2024. I hope he wins it.”
### **Ancelotti on what he knows about Pachuca**
“We saw the match against Botafogo and the semi-final against Al Ahly. It has their characteristics and, of course, it will be a very important match for them. They have players we know, like Rondón and good young players. They are dynamic, they push. It will be an entertaining duel.”