Real Madrid News
Ancelotti backs Real Madrid superstar to achieve greatness: “On his way to write history”
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu, manager Carlo Ancelotti lavished praise on forward Vinicius Jr and backed him to ‘write history’ at the club.
Vinicius, over the past couple of years, has become one of the best forwards in Europe, and has emerged as a constant difference-maker for Real Madrid.
The Brazilian superstar was the man of the moment for Los Blancos against Liverpool in the first leg at Anfield, helping his team overturn a 2-0 deficit and win 5-2.
The winger was also in fine form this past weekend against RCD Espanyol, as Real Madrid secured a 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Talking about the Brazilian and his last game, Ancelotti said: “Vinicius’ last game was perfect. He is focused on the pitch.”
The manager then went on to praise Vinicius and state that he is on the path to achieve greatness at Real Madrid, just like the likes of Casemiro, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric.
“Vinicius is on his way to write Real Madrid’s history in the coming years, just as players like Casemiro, Kroos and Modric did,” Ancelotti added.
Ancelotti discusses Eden Hazard’s future, Benzema fitness
During the presser, the Real Madrid boss was also asked about the interesting revelation that Eden Hazard had made recently, claiming that the two did not speak with each other.
“Hazard was honest, we don’t talk much, that’s true. That’s not the most important thing, but respect, and that fits. He doesn’t play because there’s a lot of competition and because Vinícius brings us a lot,” the manager said.
When asked if the winger will still be at the club for next season, Ancelotti replied: “For next year I have the players that the club puts at my disposal.”
Meanwhile, the Real Madrid head coach also confirmed that his captain Karim Benzema was feeling fine after missing the Espanyol clash due to an ankle issue.
“Benzema is very excited and is in a great physical moment,” he said.
Commenting on the controversy between Benzema and France manager Didier Deschamps, Ancelotti added: “Regarding the Deschamps & Benzema case, this is more of a personal issue. Deschamps was my player and I respect him a lot. I don’t want to interfere.”
There were also words of praise for Eduardo Camavinga, with Ancelotti admitting that the youngster did make mistakes in the last game but is an ‘untouchable’ for the present and the future.
“Camavinga is very important. In the last game, he made obvious mistakes, but by playing so well he makes you forget all the bad things. Against Espanyol, he made a very big mistake, but then he played a very good game. He is untouchable now & in the future,” he said.
Ancelotti also spoke about Camavinga’s fellow midfielder, Toni Kroos, saying: “I think in the match against Espanyol Kroos did well. What happened is already completely forgotten, he is in a good moment physically. Sometimes the changes are to put on fresh legs.”
On how he is approaching the game against Liverpool after the 5-2 win at Anfield, Ancelotti said: “I think we haven’t talked much about that. We did a lot of good things. We are not going to do calculations.
“We are not going to propose a closed match but an open one, to play our best offensive football. And the players understand that. That’s why I think it’s going to be an open game.”
Source: Real Madrid Twitter
Arda Guler’s Real Madrid stint has not gotten off to the start he would have hoped to have given the expectation that preceded the transfer.
Having joined in the summer after Real Madrid outbid their competition to win him over from Fenerbahce for a 20-million-euro fee, buzz was high as the winger was expected to slot into the team quite seamlessly, albeit on a rotational basis.
Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he has been constantly marred by injuries since completing the move.
Reports have stated that after Guler picked up his third injury since his move, Real Madrid have been concerned and want to take things slow with the player to ensure he is fit as soon as possible after an injury to his quadriceps this time.
The Turk is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, and Real Madrid even sacked their medical chief in November, in light of their injury crises since the beginning of the season.
No loan deal for Guler
However, according to Fabrizio Romano in a recent YouTube video, he states that Madrid maintain full trust and patience in the youngster.
Despite his bad luck with injuries, the latest of which he is scheduled to return from after Christmas, the Galacticos have no intention of loaning out Guler to Turkish clubs despite lots of speculation of them doing so of late.
Romano states that Madrid remain firm on not shaking things up too much with the squad, and they want to keep their roster stable, including Arda Guler.
They want to extend their full support and protection to the player as he aims to return to full fitness and finally make his bow for Madrid either by the end of this month or in 2024.
