TIG Post

Tag: Carlo Anceloti

  • “We’re not worried, result is not so important” – Ancelotti on Madrid’ preseason form

    “We’re not worried, result is not so important” – Ancelotti on Madrid’ preseason form

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed that he is “not concerned” about his team’s winless preseason.

    The Champions League winners suffered a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan last week and followed it up with a 2-1 loss to Barcelona on Saturday. As they prepare for their final preseason match against Chelsea in Charlotte on Tuesday, Ancelotti commented, “We’re not worried. Results aren’t our main focus right now.

    It’s preseason, and we’re missing eight players. We’re concentrating on our preparations and getting the players back into form. The goal is to give them minutes and ensure they are in good shape.”

    Madrid will start their competitive season against Atalanta in the European Super Cup on August 14 in Warsaw and then face Mallorca in their La Liga opener four days later.

    By August 7, Ancelotti expects to have a full squad, including summer arrivals Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal, who are returning from their vacations.

    “I can assure you that we are going to compete with the squad we have,” Ancelotti said. “We can fight for the seven titles. The calendar is very demanding but we have the quality to compete for everything, it is what the club commands.”

    Ancelotti, meanwhile, has called for patience with teenage striker Endrick. The 18-year-old, who sealed his move Madrid on a permanent transfer from Palmeiras this summer, started in both of Madrid’s games in the U.S. but did not get on the scoresheet.
    “We have to be patient with him,” Ancelotti said. “He has shown great quality and talent. As with [Arda] Güler last year, we don’t have to put pressure on the young players, he has a lot of pressure behind him, he is a very much loved player all over the world, especially in Brazil, but we must be patient with these players, with young people especially.”


    Barcelona president Joan Laporta, meanwhile, praised his team’s youngsters after their victory in El Clásico which followed their midweek draw against Manchester City

    “We promote young people and develop talent, which for us is the most important thing,” Laporta said on Sunday at a club event in New York.

    “We are very proud because there is work behind it. Of course we go to the market to sign good players, but for us it is essential to generate talent,” he added.

    “We give importance to how we win. We gave a good image [against Madrid] and that is the most important thing.”
    Barça complete their U.S. summer tour against AC Milan on Tuesday.

  • My team already in the Champions League mode -Ancelotti says

    My team already in the Champions League mode -Ancelotti says

    Carlo Ancelotti declared that Real Madrid are fully focused on the Champions League as they prepare for their final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday.

    Madrid ended their LaLiga season with a 0-0 draw against Real Betis, having secured the league title weeks in advance.

    They now have a week to get ready for the Champions League final.

    The Spanish powerhouse boasts a record 14 European Cup victories, including five in the past ten years.

    “The cold sweat arrives on Saturday afternoon,” Ancelotti said at Madrid’s pre-final media day at their Valdebebas training ground.

    “The fear, that’s normal. I have experience. My team gives me confidence and hope. They look focused on the game. They’re in Champions League mode.”

    Ancelotti’s teams have reached nine European Cup finals — three as a player, and six as a manager — and he is now hoping to land his second Champions League since returning to Madrid in 2021 for his second spell as coach.

    “It’s always the same ahead of these games,” he said. “Excitement, happiness, being involved in the most important game of the season… We’re not on holiday yet, and the other teams are. They’ll see the game on TV.”

    Ancelotti refused to confirm that back-from-injury Thibaut Courtois would start the final in goal, ahead of Andriy Lunin, as ESPN has reported.

    “It’s very difficult,” Ancelotti said. “Of course it’s really difficult, because both of them deserve to play this final. Lunin has had a fantastic season, Courtois is back from his injury.”

    “One of the two is going to play,” he added, laughing, “and the other will be on the bench.”

    The Italian coach said midfielder Toni Kroos — who announced his retirement last week — doesn’t need another trophy to be remembered as a club legend.

    “Let’s hope he can end his career with the Champions League, he deserves it,” Ancelotti said. “He’s gone down in Real Madrid history, he’s already there, but ending with a Champions League would be fantastic.”