Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Benzema, Modric, Rodrygo, Valverde, Hazard, ahead of Real Madrid vs Osasuna
Real Madrid face off against Osasuna in their first match after the international break at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night.
Los Blancos are yet to drop a single point in the new season and are seated at the top of the standings following six matches. And they will be aiming to extend that run when they play hosts to Jagoba Arrasate’s side tomorrow.
With Barcelona breathing down their necks in the table, it becomes important for Carlo Ancelotti & co. to ensure that there are no missteps, especially with El Clasico just around the corner.
Ahead of the game, Ancelotti attended his pre-match press conference where he provided a fitness update on a number of his players while also commenting on the importance of the upcoming run of fixtures.
On the busy run before World Cup: “It is an important moment of the season and the challenge is to do well in all the games.
We must get the League and the Champions League round of 16 on track before the World Cup. We have a good team, motivated and with a good attitude.”
On Benzema: “He is very good and is going to start tomorrow. He has trained well this week he has done it with the team. His physical condition is very good because he has had time to recover and put energy into his legs. I see him very well and he is going to play.”
On the fixture calendar: “The most important issue is the calendar because it is very compressed. There are many games. The institutions have to work together to fix this because the problem is the number of games.”
On Modric’s injury: “Luka has had a small problem and it is not a very serious thing. He could be ready for Wednesday against Shakhtar Donetsk. He will start training with the team on Monday. We have to see if he’s comfortable for Wednesday’s game and if he won’t play the next league game.”
On Asensio and Hazard: “They are fine. They have played with their national teams and it has been good for them to improve their condition. They are ready to contribute to the team in these games.”
On whether Rodrygo would start if Real Madrid were playing the UCL final tomorrow: “Yes, he would be in my final team.”
On Federico Valverde being compared to Steven Gerrard: Fede has many things similar to Gerrard. It’s great to be compared to a player who has been very successful. Fede has everything to reach the desired level and even more.”
On Benzema’s form: “He hasn’t scored in the last few games because he hasn’t played. I don’t see anything strange in Karim. He has trained very well. He did not have a full pre-season and it affected him a bit. After this period we will see the usual Karim, who is a spectacular player.”
On Lucas Vazquez: “Lucas has partially trained with the team. He may be available on Wednesday or Saturday. It is the same as Modric.”
On El Clasico: “El Clasico is far away. We have more important games before, like the one against Osasuna. We have prepared well for tomorrow’s game because the players are fine.
“Then, let’s think about Wednesday’s game. We cannot think about the game that will be played in 15 days. The objective of the game tomorrow, Wednesday and next Sunday is to win.”
On the World Cup in the middle of the season: “We don’t know what’s going to happen. We are thinking about how to handle the players who come back from the World Cup. Until the middle of January, we may play with the players who stay here.
“We have to differentiate between those who will or not play because not all the players who go to the World Cup will. They will need rest when they return and we will give them 10 days of vacation.”
Source: Real Madrid official website
Real Madrid have finally received some good news as MARCA confirms that Nacho has finally made his decision about his future, and is set to continue at the club for the foreseeable future.
His contract expires in the summer, and Real Madrid had tabled an extension for the player, which was not accepted by the Spaniard at the time. Now, however, he has decided to reject offers from Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
Nacho will sign a one year extension, with the option to extend for another year if both parties reach an agreement.
His continuity also means that he will be the new club captain for the 2023/24 season, since Karim Benzema is leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer. Luka Modric will be second captain, followed by Daniel Carvajal and Toni Kroos.
Carlo Ancelotti has also spoken to the player, confirming that they trust him for next season in the team, which has gone a long way in helping convince the player.
The Italian gaffer also spoke about the Spanish defender’s contract situation after the game against Athletic Club yesterday, saying:
“Asensio, Nacho and Ceballos? We have explained them their roles. The club have offered them renewals. Asensio has preferred to leave, Ceballos and Nacho are still thinking about it.”
While a centre-back by trade, Nacho has played across the defence for Madrid continuously, including putting shifts at left-back, right-back, and even centre-back.
His departure would have probably pushed Madrid to sign another defender, especially since they are considering selling Ferland Mendy if a good offer arrives.
Regardless of that, though, Madrid are moving to sign Alphonso Davies, and have already made initial contacts with the player. Bayern Munich have not rejected their advances.
Further, the los blancos management have already met with Davies’ entourage twice, cementing their interest in the Canadian ace.
