Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Brahim, Carvajal, Kroos, Modric, Rodrygo, Valverde after Real Madrid 2-0 Granada
Real Madrid extended their winning run to five matches across all competitions as they secured a 2-0 victory over relegation battlers Granada in La Liga today.
A first-half strike from Brahim Diaz and a goal from Rodrygo after the break were enough for the Merengues to bag three points at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The result puts them back at the top of the La Liga table after Girona had briefly moved into pole position following their win over Valencia earlier in the day.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media in the aftermath of the game and handed out praise for Brahim Diaz, who was the Man of the Match on the night.
“He’s playing very well, working hard, wherever I put him he delivers, I’m very happy with him. He didn’t have much of a role at the beginning, but now he’s showing his quality,” said Ancelotti of the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.
One of the concerns for Real Madrid stemming from the night is that Dani Carvajal had to be taken off at half-time due to a knock.
When asked about the right-back’s condition, Ancelotti said: “It’s an overload, we’ll see tomorrow.”
However, when he was asked about the availability of his injured players for the next game against Real Betis, Ancelotti put Carvajal as a doubt, saying:
“Modric I think he’s going to make it, let’s see Carvajal… Lucas played very well in the second half. And Kepa is ready to play.”
The manager then went on to discuss the new role for Federico Valverde, where he almost operates in a double pivot in midfield alongside Toni Kroos, saying:
“I think he likes it, he enjoys the position, he plays like that in Uruguay and he is doing very well. It’s difficult to say which is his best position on the pitch. The work he does in any position is very useful for the team.”
On Valverde’s midfield partner Kroos, who chipped in with a sublime display today, that included a stunning assist for Brahim’s goal, Ancelotti said:
“He doesn’t miss passes, first of all. He always chooses the best option. He wants the ball, he’s not afraid of pressure, he always orientates himself well.
“The best thing is his orientation, his control, he’s always in the right place when he receives. He is irreplaceable even when he doesn’t play.”
Ancelotti then showered praise on Rodrygo, who is well and truly back to his best after a slow start to the season, as he scored once again tonight for Real Madrid.
“He’s back to his best, scoring a lot of goals. Today also proving that he only scores from the left. When he is well, he can score from anywhere. I put him more on the right today because I thought there would be more space there. His goal was a good one,” he said.
When asked if he had a bet with Rodrygo for the forward to score a certain number of goals this season, Ancelotti replied: “No, I haven’t bet on anyone this season. The team has to work together, it doesn’t matter who scores, just the collective work.
“And that’s what I like the most, there’s a commitment that allows us to keep a clean sheet and take advantage of the work of the attackers.”
The Real Madrid boss also discussed tomorrow’s headlining fixture between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, saying: “I think it will be an entertaining match, what I think most is to enjoy it. May the best team win.”
Signing off, Ancelotti responded to fans chanting his name at the Bernabeu by saying: “The fans love me a lot at the Bernabéu and that’s why I’m very happy.”
Source: AS
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
