Real Madrid will be hoping to secure their second win of the 2024/25 La Liga when they take on UD Las Palmas tomorrow at Gran Canaria.
After collecting four points from their first two matches, Real Madrid find themselves five points behind arch-rivals FC Barcelona, who have made a perfect start to the campaign.
As such, the reigning champions will be aiming to bag another win tomorrow, and stay close to the league leaders and not let them open up a big lead early in the season.
Ahead of the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media, discussing the team’s situation, the title race, and Kylian Mbappe’s form, among other things.
Before everything though, the Real Madrid boss sent his condolences to the families of footballer Juan Izquierdo and former manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who passed away recently.
“First of all, this week we have had two pieces of sad news, Juan Izquierdo has left us and Eriksson too, who I was particularly fond of because he coached me at Roma. My love for his family,” said Ancelotti.
Moving on, the Italian tactician discussed what kind of match he expects tomorrow against Las Palmas, saying:
“I expect a game with intensity, an open game because Las Palmas like to play.”
On whether the competition this season is more difficult than last season, saying: “Every year has its challenge. Last season we won a lot at the beginning in the last minutes, for example. It’s a normal thing to have to adjust the team every year.”
There have been some concerns regarding the lack of defensive work rate from the Real Madrid forward early in the season. Addressing that, he said:
“You need a compact team, that’s key. If the forward presses and the defence doesn’t come out… problems. You have to think about the collective, not the individual.”
When asked about the advantage that Real Madrid have by starting Kylian Mbappe, he said:
“And for Rodrygo, Vinicius… we have a lot of resources. We’ve scored six goals and the team is still not at its best. That says a lot. We’ll never have a goal problem, you can see that.”
On whether Mbappe is still adapting to the new team, the manager said: “And progressing. He’s working with humility and he’s doing well. His adaptation is going well.”
On his lack of goals in the last two matches, the manager added: “His last goal was on 14 August. It’s only been two weeks. It’s not a time to worry. Neither us, nor him. He’s eager to score.”
Giving his thoughts on the new UEFA Champions League format, he added: “I don’t have an opinion yet, because we haven’t played something like this yet. Patience and we’ll talk in a year. Sometimes new can be good.”
The manager then discussed the importance of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to the team, especially with Toni Kroos having left, he said:
“He’s a very important player. I don’t ask him to be Kroos, just as I didn’t ask Kroos to be Tchouameni. The team has to get used to each other.”
With some questions being raised about Barcelona’s methods to register new signing Dani Olmo, Ancelotti was asked about his thoughts on the matter, to which he replied:
“Question for La Liga. We respect.”
Ancelotti also praised defender Eder Militao for the way he has started the season, saying: “He’s back to his best. Showing continuity, solidity and understanding with Rüdiger. His long pass is very precise and he’s going to help us a lot. The strikers we have are very quick, so he fits in.”
The manager also shed light on the challenge he has set for midfielder Federico Valverde, as he said:
“I’ve asked him for 30 goals. He’s improving, he’s progressing and he’s becoming more of a protagonist. He is a leader, as he should be. He gives a clean, serious and motivational atmosphere.”
Ancelotti also issued an update on David Alaba’s fitness, stating: “He started running today, but we have to be patient.”
On the future of Reinier Jesus, he added: “He should find a team where he can show his qualities.”
Source: AS