Ancelotti talks Benzema, Tchouameni, Kroos, Vinicius, Courtois ahead of Real Madrid vs Elche

Real Madrid will look to cut down the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona when they lock horns with Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Los Blancos were not involved in league action last week as they were away participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, which they won.

Now with the focus back on La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti & co., who lost to Mallorca in the league last time out, will look to reduce the 11-point gap to their arch-rivals and stay alive in the title race.

Ahead of the game, manager Ancelotti addressed the media and the excerpts from his interaction are as follows.

On playing at home: “We are delighted to be back at the Santiago Bernabéu tomorrow.”

On Thibaut Courtois and Toni Kroos’ availability: “Courtois and Kroos will not play tomorrow. Courtois will return vs Osasuna on Saturday.”

On Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez: “Lucas Vazquez and Militao will return tomorrow.”

On whether Eduardo Camavinga will continue at left-back: “He has been very good but now Alaba is back and there’s also Nacho. I’m thinking about what to do. Camavinga will play in that position only if needed.”

On Vinicius Jr being not nominated for FIFPro Best XI: “I didn’t see it. It must be a mistake, right? (Laughs).”

On any assurances he will give fans that Real Madrid will close down the gap: “I don’t need to give them arguments. Our fans know the professionalism of this team, and of these players. They know that we are going to fight every game. I don’t think anyone thinks we are in a ‘critical’ situation.”

On links to Dusan Vlahovic: “Well, that I need a new nine is your opinion. This is not the time to talk about the market. We are focused on the competitions, nothing else.”

On Eden Hazard’s availability: “He will be back on Thursday after his injury. He is fine.”

On who will replace Vinicius Jr: “Nobody can replace him. He’s not here. Someone else will play in this position, and that’s Rodrygo.”

On Aurelien Tchouameni’s form: “Until the World Cup he did very well, he was amazing. But the World Cup has affected him, in that he’s still not in the optimum situation, physically, pre-World Cup. Going from a double pivot to playing alone… he’s coming back, little by little.”

On Kroos’ contract: “I can’t say what will happen. He hasn’t told me, but the feeling I have is positive. That he can renew. But it’s a feeling.”

On the team’s defence: “I said it was a problem of concentration, a collective commitment that we don’t always have. We’ve kept three clean sheets this season. It’s better”.

On whether Karim Benzema has renewed: “I don’t know. But I repeat: Real Madrid legends must retire at Real Madrid.”

On whether the Brazilian players ask him about national team job links: “They joke, they laugh about it! But they make jokes, that’s all. The reality is that I have a contract until 2024.”

Source: Real Madrid Twitter