Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid face the league dress rehearsal for the first Clasico of the season on Saturday. But before the game in Vigo, the Italian also had a lot of other work to do.
The international break probably came at just the right time for Real Madrid. After previously winning five competitive games in a row, the Whites had only managed to win one of the last three games.
In addition, there was the injury shock surrounding Dani Carvajal. Once again, a Real Madrid defender had torn his cruciate ligament. But Ancelotti, in the late autumn of his coaching career, is no longer unsettled by this. “I have not asked for new signings in January,” the 65-year-old made clear at the press conference before the Vigo game on Saturday: “Last season we handled the situation well, and that will be the case this season too.”
In any case, finding the right player would be a problem. “Signing a player good enough for Real Madrid is not easy,” said Ancelotti, who is “not thinking” about winter transfers at the moment.
Solutions may arise from the club’s own youth. Or from recovering players. One such player is David Alaba, whose possible career end has recently been the subject of wild speculation. Ancelotti has completely different information at first hand: “David is recovering well and will soon be back working with the team.”
The Austrian’s long-awaited comeback after a cruciate ligament rupture is therefore getting closer. And in general, Ancelotti likes the way his team is working. “I’m more confident now than I was a month ago,” admits the 65-year-old: “I see the team as more motivated and physically stronger. I think this is an important moment in the season and I hope my feelings are confirmed on the pitch.”
Mbappé: “A different player than before the break”
Kylian Mbappé is also apparently making greater progress. “He has used the break to improve his fitness. He is happy and looking forward to playing tomorrow. These 15 days have helped him a lot. He is a different player than before the break,” said Ancelotti, who almost sounded like a threat. Five goals from eight La Liga games didn’t sound too bad.
Ancelotti is not overly concerned about Mbappé’s private trip, for which he was heavily criticized at home: “The rest days were planned for him, and then everyone decides what he wants to do. I flew to London for two days and didn’t ask anyone for permission either.”
Was he in England to talk to the FA about the successor to Gareth Southgate? Ancelotti waves this off: “There was nothing with the English FA.” He congratulated the Three Lions on the signing of Thomas Tuchel. “They have chosen a very good coach who is very strong tactically. I wish him all the best.”