Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Bellingham, Camavinga, Garcia, Alli, El Clasico, formation change
With the pre-season underway, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti took some time out to speak to the media today and addressed several topics during his interaction.
The 64-year-old will go into the new season with a fresh squad that has been boosted by the arrivals of players like Jude Bellingham, Joselu, Arda Guler, and Fran Garcia.
As such there have been talks of the Italian tactician changing formation to accommodate the new signings and find their best position.
Addressing the same in the presser, the Real Madrid boss said (h/t Mundo Deportivo): “It could be that this year we will play with a different system. We have to find a new style, especially on the tour, which is an important part of the pre-season.”
“The players have to feel comfortable in the system they play,” he added.
Moving on to the topic of Bellingham, who has arrived in a deal worth €103 million plus add-ons, Ancelotti said:
“Bellingham is working hard, he had a little problem on holiday, on his knee, but now he’s fine and he will play on this tour.”
Ancelotti relied on youngster Eduardo Camavinga as a makeshift left-back quite a bit last season. But the manager confirmed that the Frenchman will not play as a full-back next season, saying:
“The idea is that Camavinga will play as an interior midfielder or as a pivot. When we have the left-back occupied with Fran Garcia or Mendy, he is not going to play there.”
Real Madrid have some juicy pre-season friendlies lined up on their tour of the USA as they face AC Milan, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Juventus.
The highlight will be the Clasico, which generated a lot of excitement last year as well in the US. And, Ancelotti expects more of the same this time out too, as he said:
“Against Barça there is no friendly. It’s a Clasico and we like to play it and win it. Everyone knows that they are spectacular games. They always have been because there is a very big rivalry.
“We saw it last year in a fantastic atmosphere. I think it’s going to be the same this year. It’s always like that. It’s a difficult, complicated game, but it’s clear that everyone likes to play (a Clasico). There is no friendly between Barcelona and Real Madrid and there never will be.”
MLS is in the spotlight currently after Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets left PSG and Barcelona, respectively, to move to Inter Miami. So, Ancelotti was quizzed if he would ever consider managing in the United States of America.
In response, the Real Madrid boss said: “Well, football in the States has to compete with very strong sports, they are doing well and the signing of Messi will help them to improve. But the truth is that among (US) citizens there is a lot of passion.”
Ancelotti also had kind words for Dele Alli, who gave a moving interview recently, shedding light on the personal issues that he has been battling with.
“I heard about this, sometimes in sport and life you have difficult moments and you have to use your strength to move on, I hope he can move on from this situation,” Ancelotti stated.
Real Madrid News
Bellingham on his special assist in Girona 0-3 Real Madrid: “Been watching Luka every day”
Real Madrid usurped the top spot in the La Liga standings from arch-rivals FC Barcelona as they defeated Girona 3-0 away at Estadi Montilivi.
It was a fine performance from Carlo Ancelotti’s men against Michel’s side, with the returning Jude Bellingham leading the way for his team.
After being benched against Las Palmas in midweek, the England international returned to the starting XI today and turned in yet another Man of the Match display for Real Madrid.
It all started with Joselu opening the scoring just 15 minutes into the game, with Bellingham assisting the goal with a special, outside-of-the-boot pass from the left side, bringing back memories of Luka Modric doing something similar a few years ago.
Talking about that special pass, Bellingham said: “I’ve been watching Luka every day for months. I just want to be creative. It took the pressure off us at the start.”
On the match and the result, the 20-year-old stated that it was a good day across the board for Real Madrid, as he said: “It was an important win. They were doing very well. We made a statement of intent to La Liga. Three goals, a clean sheet….”
It has been a truly remarkable start to life at Real Madrid for Bellingham and expressing how he feels to play for the Merengues, he exclaimed:
“I feel very good. I have freedom of movement and I’m enjoying football. Whenever I put on this shirt I always try to do my best.”
Apart from assisting Joselu’s opener, Bellingham also got his name on the scoresheet in the second period. Talking about his goal, the wonderkid said:
“It wasn’t a very good finish. I could have scored some more, but the important thing is the victory.”
The strike meant that Bellingham now has seven goals and two assists across all competitions for Real Madrid. Reflecting on his brilliant start, he said:
“It’s a good start, not bad. I would like to continue on this path and I won’t always score or assist, but I will always give my best.”
Bellingham’s celebration has been a huge hit, with kids in school, players from other clubs, and many others mimicking it. When asked how his special celebration originated, he replied:
“I don’t know where I first celebrated. I think it was with Birmingham. It’s an inspiration to see kids doing it in schools. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Source: AS
