Carlo Ancelotti, during the press conference at Celtic Park. /
Group F | Matchday 1
The Real Madrid coach recalls that his team was also not trading high in the bookmakers when the last Champions League began and ended up raising the ‘orejona’
Carlo Ancelotti is not in the least worried that the bookmakers do not place Real Madrid among the main favorites to win the Champions League. What’s more, he considers it a good omen, based on what happened the previous year. “I’m not surprised. I see it as a good sign. Last year we had even less chance in the statistics. This year we have improved and we have a little more. What happened last year is going to happen, that we are going to compete until the end and hopefully we can compete in the final”, said the Whites’ coach.
The current king of Europe begins the defense of the title that he won on May 28 in Paris visiting Celtic. A complicated rival, according to Ancelotti. “The game is going to be difficult. Celtic have a good dynamic, they play with a lot of intensity. We know him and we are prepared to start the group well », indicated the coach.
The Italian knows that his team is always a rival to beat in his fetish competition. “In this competition, Real Madrid has always been and will always be respected, not only for what we achieved last year, but for the history of this club. We cannot think much further ahead, we have to think that we have to get through this group, win it, and then we will see what happens after the World Cup”, explained the Reggiolo coach, always cautious about the impact it may have on the future of the season the exotic World Cup that will be held in the fall and that, for now, has forced the group stage of the Champions League to be compressed. “Until the World Cup I don’t think we’re going to have any problems. The players are ready, prepared and motivated to come to the World Cup in good physical condition. The question is how they will return from the World Cup, you can never know », he warned.
Despite the fact that the draw provided an affordable first phase, a priori, for the fourteen-time European champion, Ancelotti does not want confidence. “It is not an easy group. We know the teams very well. Celtic are doing very well and we have to respect them, just as we have to respect Leipzig and Shakhtar. In the groups there are surprises, it happened last year with the Sheriff. It will be a balanced group, ”considered the transalpine.
“There is no explanation for Modric”
He hid his cards when asked if there will be room on Tuesday in his eleven for some of the players who have had fewer minutes so far. “If it can be. I don’t know which ones are the least common », Ancelotti interrupted, who was reminded that he could never storm Celtic Park, not even as a player. “It has been a very difficult stadium for my teams in the past. I’ve played several times: in the league, in the round of 16… It’s a very difficult stadium, but with a fantastic atmosphere. I love that my team plays in an environment like this », he pointed out.
Finally, he referred to the level of Modric, who will play his hundredth game in Europe on Tuesday wearing the Real Madrid jersey and who will turn 37 on Friday. “There is no explanation. He is a fantastic player, with a great attitude. These things combined make him one of the best players we have in Europe. We are going to celebrate his 37th birthday with a big party. Hopefully I’m invited,” he joked.
Vinicius, during the press conference. /
Vinicius: «I want to continue evolving until the last day of my life»
Carlo Ancelotti’s appearance at Celtic Park was preceded by one of his great stilettos, Vinicius. The Brazilian, with Spanish nationality already under his arm after swearing to the Constitution, does not stop climbing the ranks of Real Madrid and was chosen to intervene in the preview of the king of Europe’s debut in a new edition of the Champions League. His progression in recent months has been geometric, but the carioca does not set limits and wants to continue growing as a footballer and as a person. “I have to improve in everything, in many things. I want to continue evolving until the last day of my life. All the players here teach me a lot. Karim gives me a plus to continue evolving in the biggest club in the world », he proclaimed.
Vinicius expressed his happiness at once again facing the exciting challenge of playing in the highest continental competition. «With great joy for having won the last Champions League and also with great desire to win another one. We have good feelings. The coach always tells us that we have to do well to defend our title,” said the former Flamengo player before the meeting with Celtic, whom he described as “a good team, with people who press hard” at their stadium. “They won their last game 4-0 and it’s always very difficult to play here, but we want the first three points in the Champions League,” he warned.
In just over a year, Vinicius has gone from being meme meat to being valued as one of the most unbalanced footballers in the world. The carioca does not seem to hate those who criticized him in the past and he made it clear that his wish is to spend many years at Real Madrid. «I always listen to the people who love me, to the people who are with me every day. That’s what matters. I want to do things for my people, for those who know the work I do every day to be a great footballer. I hope to continue evolving to continue here for a long time like Modric, Marcelo, Karim or Toni. I want to play here for so long », he commented.
He was humbled when asked if he considers that he is already among the top five players today. “I leave that to the people. I have a calm head. I have to be in my best version and I’m sure I’m going to do great things this season too, “said a winger who does not set offensive figures. “Of course I want to score more goals and give more assists, but the main thing for me is to play well for my team and keep winning,” he said.
Finally, he was delighted with his life in Madrid. «The club and the fans, the people of Madrid, have given me many things. I arrived here when I was 18 years old, I had just started my football career. Now I am 22 years old and I know that people love me very much. I love living in Madrid and I want to be here for a long time », he concluded.
