Real Madrid
“Messi is still a great player, but Karim has had a great season and will be motivated to finish first next year, just as Vinicius has all the quality to achieve it one day,” says the Italian coach.
“Today I have not seen Karim (Benzema) or Courtois cry because they have not won the Ballon d’Or. They have accepted it without problems,” said Carlo Ancelotti, who would have voted for the French forward, “with Vinicius second, Courtois third, Casemiro fourth, Kroos fifth, Camavinga sixth … although Messi is still one of the best in the world.
«Messi is still a great player and the Ballon d’Or is an important motivation. Hopefully next year one of Real Madrid wins. Benzema has had a great season, and he will have the motivation to train and play well and finish first next year, “added the Italian coach, who insisted that the top scorer for the white team would have deserved the trophy.
Regarding Vinicius, Ancelotti insisted that the young Brazilian forward “does not feel like a star, because he is still very humble.” “He has players by his side with personality and experience and that will help him to know his position in the squad,” said the Real Madrid coach. “Vinicius has all the quality to one day win the Ballon d’Or, just like Benzema, Modric, Courtois … although it is difficult for a goalkeeper to win it, but he has a top level,” he added.
Satisfied with his squad and with the upcoming winter market, Ancelotti ruled out that Real Madrid have to sign a footballer, but he did not close the door to exits “if there are players who are not happy.” «I think that in general you have to work in the summer to prepare the squad well. I don’t like the adjustments you make in January that much, because something may have gone wrong in the summer. We do not need to improve this template. If there are players who are not happy, you can think about it, but not signing again. The squad is well made and can compete until the end, “he said.
“I don’t know if we are clear favorites to win the League, but this squad is doing very well. The team has always competed and has always tried to do its best. The points we have are deserved points “, acknowledged who is convinced that this Wednesday’s match against Athletic” is going to demand a lot, like Sevilla’s.
«Athletic concedes few goals because they work very well defensively. It is a compact team, well organized behind. The work that Marcelino has done in all the teams he has been in is that he works very well on the defensive aspect with a very clear mentality. We have to have offensive clarity and a good balance, because Athletic plays a vertical attack and balance is very important, “he reiterated.
“Penalties are not whistled”
To receive Athletic, Ancelotti has Hazard once again recovered from his gastroenteritis. «He is fine, he has worked with the team and has found himself well, in good condition. Tomorrow he will be with the team. He has not had muscle discomfort. He has had a gastroenteritis, just like Rodrygo. and it has cost him. There is nothing else behind. Don’t worry, ”he replied when asked if the Belgian had recently suffered another muscle injury.
Hazard’s problem is a physical problem. You have to improve your condition and have minutes, because that is how you will improve your condition. Wait for your time to play more minutes. He is fine and I think he will have minutes, “he said. “I’m not worried about wear, but I have to evaluate rotations, because the team dynamics are very good. Rotate to rotate, no. If there is physical wear and tear it is better to avoid risks, but if the player is well it is better for him to play, ”he added.
He also wanted to make it clear that the penalty from Alaba to Ocampos claimed by Sevilla was “a penalty” of those that should never be whistled. «I don’t know what has been mounted. I have read something. Sevilla got a little angry. They are quite clear situations, which the referees have tried to clarify, saying that the penalties are not whistled. It’s pretty clear to everyone what you’ve heard this season. Penalties will not be given. Against Sevilla there was a slight contact from Alaba with Ocampos and a slight contact from Diego Carlos to Vinicius. They were penalties. The penalty has to be a clear penalty, because there are more chances to score than to miss. When they are not clear they do not whistle them », he stressed.
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