Ancelotti talks Mbappe, Modric, Endrick, Valverde, Guler, Tebas ahead of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be hoping to take a step towards securing their place in the finals of the Copa del Rey when they take on Real Sociedad on Wednesday night.

The first leg of the semi-final tie will be played at the Reale Arena and Los Blancos, coming into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Girona in La Liga, will be aiming to return from San Sebastian with an advantage for the second leg at home.

On the eve of the match, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media and discussed several topics, including the availability of Kylian Mbappe, who did not train with the team today due to dental issues.

Starting off though, the Italian touched upon what they can expect from tomorrow’s game, saying:

“It has always been difficult to play against Real Sociedad. It’s an important semi-final for everyone. It will be a very even first game. And a tough one. Real play well.”

On the players and the squad

Quickly moving to the topic of Mbappe, Ancelotti confirmed that the French superstar will travel for the game, while also stating that teenage forward Endrick might be in line for a rare chance to play.

“Mbappe is travelling. He had a problem with his tooth and couldn’t train. Everyone who is travelling has a chance. So does Endrick,” remarked Ancelotti.

Ancelotti also addressed the lack of minutes for Arda Guler and speculations that his future was up in the air by saying:

“All those who have doubts can come to my office. I read that there is a Guler Case, but that case has not come here. It’s a process for him and like for all young players.

“It happened with Rodrygo, Vinicius, Valverde… He needs time to join the best squad in the world. Everyone understands that and whoever doesn’t, has to do it.”

Further talking about the Turkish international, who turned 20 years old today, Ancelotti added:

“‘I am with them every day. Every day I see him more or less happy and that’s normal. I don’t want to see a player happy when he doesn’t play. I see a player who works, learns and wants to play. This is a small part of the time I spend with him.

“He spends a lot of time with other people. I don’t know if they have the same idea that I have with him. For him to improve and to be able to play for Real Madrid.”

Federico Valverde has done exceedingly well in his new role as a makeshift right-back, leading to questions whether he might feature there again. Addressing that, Ancelotti noted:

“Valverde could return to right-back. We have to see what kind of line-up I play. I’m not going to say, I’ve already thought about it, but I’m not going to say it.”

Following Luka Modric’s MotM display against Girona on Sunday, reports of a potential renewal for the Croatian veteran have been doing the rounds. When asked about his opinion on retaining the captain for another season, the manager said:

“I don’t go into this issue. It’s a club issue with the players. It was with Nacho, with Kroos, with Modric himself. The legend has the right to do what he wants. This is the idea of the club. They will make the best decision for everyone.”

Modric’s contract expires this year. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Ancelotti also provided an update on the condition of David Alaba, who made his first start of the season at the weekend, saying:

“Played 70 minutes. The knee is perfect. He is recovered. You have to take into account more than the knee, muscular problems, that he is back after 14 months.”

When asked to elaborate on his previous comments about Raul Asencio and the ‘technical weakness’ in his game, Ancelotti explained:

“‘If I said Asencio had a technical weakness I was wrong. He is young and we work with him as we do with all the young players in the youth academy. The young player learns a lot.

“We haven’t worked on the technical side with him, we’ve worked on the tactical side. Sometimes aggressiveness is not the best thing to do, especially in the penalty area. You can get a penalty. But we have worked on this.

“He’s doing very well. Raul has been a surprise for everyone, really. For me too.”

When asked about the atmosphere in the locker room and all the talks of possible ego clashes that were doing the rounds when Kylian Mbappe joined, Ancelotti remarked:

“There is a good atmosphere. On Mbappé’s arrival, he has arrived with humility, with a very low profile. The atmosphere has improved, there is much more confidence because one of the best in the world has arrived. In terms of ego, nothing has changed.

“We lost important pieces in terms of personality that have to be replaced. We lost Nacho, Kroos, Carvajal….

“These pieces form the environment and little by little the youngsters like Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde, Vini, Rodrygo have to become more important.”

On whether Endrick can be the new Vinicius Jr. at Real Madrid, Ancelotti replied: “By characteristics he is not going to be Rodrygo or Vinicius, he has different characteristics. He’s going to be a great striker, I have no doubt.”

“There is no Endrick case, for the moment,” he added, making clear that the youngster’s future at the club is not a topic of debate or speculation.

On Tebas’ comments

Tebas has been constantly taking shots at Real Madrid. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)

The Real Madrid boss then fired shots at La Liga president Javier Tebas, who had called the Los Blancos a ‘crybaby’ team in recent interviews.

“Tebas talks too much about Real Madrid. Since I’ve been here… He disrespects many Madridistas by talking like that. There are more important issues and he should focus more on solving the problems of Spanish football,” said Ancelotti.

Further reacting to Tebas’ comments where he claimed that he felt ashamed being a Madridista, Ancelotti hit back, saying:

“I don’t know what is shameful for him. I think everyone is proud to be a fan of this club.”

When asked about the Negreira case, Ancelotti refused to get dragged in on the matter, as he said:

“I can’t answer this. I see that there is a proceeding and people are waiting for the resolution. Football has been patient and we have to continue to be patient. In the end there will be a judicial resolution.”

The Real Madrid boss also expressed his dissatisfaction with the fixture calendar, saying:

“Considering the absurd calendar we have we are doing very well. All the teams that are fighting, battling, are doing very well. It’s unbelievable. I’m getting tired and you’re getting tired. From what I hear and see. We need rest.”

Source: AS