Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Casemiro, Alaba, Modric, Vinicius, Rodrygo ahead of Manchester City clash
After roping in the league title this weekend, Real Madrid will host Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals second leg.
Los Blancos are down 4-3, but are still very much in the tie. Their night could have been much worse, in fact, but individual brilliance from Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema pushed the capital outfit to shore.
The world will have its eye on this game, and nobody knows that better than Carlo Ancelotti. The first manager to win the top five league addressed the crowd as part of his pre-game press conference ahead of the game.
On the players: “They are fine and very motivated, we could play another Champions League final. We know it will be very difficult but we are confident.”
On the matchup vs Manchester City: “City and Real Madrid have different qualities. Personality is a very important aspect, also the individual qualities. Champions League is very difficult, we will need more than just our hearts.”
“City have the advantage and we have to play a good game. The atmosphere is very good after winning La Liga, we can do it tomorrow.”
On Casemiro’s return: “Casemiro’s return? He will surely help us in defense. We need to play better collectively. We worked on the defensive aspect and I believe you will see the improvement.”
On Vinicius: “Vinicius has improved a lot in his scoring ability. He’s colder in front of the net and now he takes his time to decide what to do. He’s much more mature now.”
On choosing between Valverde or Rodrygo: “Valverde or Rodrygo? I don’t have doubts. It will be a long game, it’s not important who will start, it will be important who will end it.”
On David Alaba: “David Alaba will NOT play tomorrow.”
“Alaba has been a very important player for us this season but Nacho will be important too tomorrow.”
On Luka Modric: “He has not changed during the years. He’s a very professional player, he’s excellent, extraordinary…a tremendous player with enormous qualities, both physically and technically.”
On their attack: “We have improved the offensive aspect. Karim, Vinicius, Asensio, Modric, Kroos… sometimes we suffers against low blocks because we don’t have a very tall 9.”
Source: Real Madrid Twitter
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
