Ancelotti talks Bellingham, Mbappe, Modric, spies ahead of Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has openly acknowledged that his team is not performing at its best currently.

He emphasised the need for improvements across all areas of the game. As they prepare for their UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, Ancelotti shared his insights on various factors affecting the team’s performance.

Ancelotti noted that modern football has changed significantly, refuting the previous claims of having spies.

He said that it is easier for teams to gather information on their opponents. He mentioned that he has access to ample data that allows him to analyse Dortmund thoroughly.

“Spies for Dortmund? Football has changed. We know everything about the opposing team because you can watch all the matches. I have enough data to analyse the opponent,” the manager began saying.

Despite achieving good results recently, Ancelotti pointed out that the team is not operating at full capacity. He highlighted the importance of maintaining both offensive and defensive strengths moving forward.

“We are not at 100% obviously. We have had good results but we have to stay on the offensive and defensive level and we will do that”

How does he want to play?

Carlo Ancelotti accepts Real Madrid are not playing their best football. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

When discussing the team’s playing style, Ancelotti expressed a desire for direct football, indicating that a fast-paced, back-and-forth game suits Real Madrid well.

“I want to play directly. A back-and-forth game suits us well. We have more difficulty against an opponent who plays with a low block.”

However, he acknowledged that they struggle against teams that adopt a defensive low-block strategy. Therefore, enhancing their defensive solidity is a key focus this season.

“We are focused on defending better, which is the key this season. The team is less solid now but we are working on making the team more solid,” he noted.

Thoughts on Bellingham

Ancelotti also addressed the performance of Jude Bellingham, who has yet to score this season. Despite this, Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with Bellingham’s work ethic and contributions on the pitch.

“We are satisfied with his work. I am satisfied because he works hard on the field, he competes, he fights, he makes sacrifices.”

He remarked that while Bellingham has not replicated last season’s goal-scoring numbers, Ancelotti reassured fans that the team is not lacking in offensive talent.

Jude Bellingham is yet to score a goal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“He has not scored the goals he did last year, but the surprise is not this year, but the ones he scored last year. We are not short of goals from Bellingham, because we have very talented players in front of us.”

Regarding Bellingham’s role, Ancelotti explained that he had positioned him on the right side in a recent match to exploit space and create opportunities.

“He changed his position the other day, I put him on the right because we thought he could find more space to come in through the second line.”

He observed that the left wing is more congested this season, allowing Bellingham and Rodrygo to be effective together on the right.

“The left wing is more occupied this year and the right wing has been left a little more exposed. We can be effective with Bellingham and Rodrygo on the right as we are on the left.”

Defensive tactic

Ancelotti discussed the defensive formation, confirming that although they may start with three centre-backs, they will revert to a four-defender line when out of possession.

He clarified that Real Madrid does not rely on a five-defender setup but rather maintains a four-defender structure, especially when looking to win matches.

“The three centre-backs were there with the ball, but without the ball, there had to be a line of four defenders, as we have always done and will always do.

Carlo Ancelotti wants defensive solidity. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

“This team does not defend with five, it may be that at the end of a match, you score more when you are winning, but the idea is that it will always be four.”

The manager highlighted physical condition as another area needing attention, stating that not all players are at their peak fitness yet.

“It’s also a problem of physical condition, as not everyone is at 100% yet and that’s about it. We have to work a little more compactly as a team.”

He noted the importance of team compactness, particularly when pressing high up the pitch.

“Sometimes we also have the idea of ​​pressing up front, but we still lack a bit of solidity when we have the middle block.”

On a tactical level, Ancelotti mentioned that while the team is working on defensive strategies, they have many offensive options at their disposal.

“We are working on the defensive side. We have many options and possibilities on the offensive side.”

He acknowledged that although they are not conceding many goals, opponents are still finding ways to create scoring opportunities. He believes that by being more solid and compact, they will enhance their chances of winning games.

“We are not conceding many goals, that is true, but our opponents have opportunities to score. When we are solid and compact we have more opportunities to win games.”

Words on Mbappe and Modric

Ancelotti expects Mbappe to score goals. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Finally, when asked about Kylian Mbappe’s role, Ancelotti indicated that his priority is for Mbappe to focus on scoring goals rather than pressing.

He expressed the same expectations for Mbappé as he had for former player Karim Benzema, encouraging him to position himself effectively for quick transitions when the team regains possession.

“I prefer him to score goals than to press. I asked Mbappe the same thing that I asked Benzema: to position himself well in order to be clever and make a quick transition once we recover the ball.”

Regarding Luka Modric, Ancelotti praised him as a unique talent within the squad, recognising his vast experience and exceptional ball-handling skills, and confirmed that Modric could be a starting player in the upcoming match.

“Modric is a unique player, in football and in our squad. He has spectacular experience and a unique quality in handling the ball, his position, and in matches,” he concluded.

Source: AS