Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Courtois, Benzema, Rudiger, Militao ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Real Madrid will be aiming to move to the top of the La Liga standings when they host arch-rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Los Blancos are second in the table, behind Barça only on goal difference. They will need to pick up all three points to reclaim pole position on the table.
Coming into the game on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid will need to be at their best to get one over their eternal rivals.
On the eve of the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media where he provided updates on the injury situation of some players while also talking about the importance of El Clasico.
On preparations for El Clasico: “As always, but we must add what this match represents for everyone, the quality of the two teams. But it is prepared in a similar way, although we must add the emotional aspect, the pressure…”
On Thibaut Courtois: “He’s pretty good, but it’s true that he’s trained very little, he’s not comfortable and he’s ruled out. We’ll see for the following Sunday, but now he just needs to train.”
On Antonio Rudiger: “He’s fine, he has no discomfort, he’s comfortable, he’s a warrior, and he’s very excited.”
On Real Madrid doing better than Barcelona in the second half of matches: “I think they are characteristics of the two teams that must be taken into account. It is true that we do better in the second half, I don’t know if it will affect the match.”
On whether Rodrygo will start or be used as a sub: “He is an extraordinary player, forceful, now I am giving him more minutes and he has shown what he is. He can play in all the positions upfront.”
On changing the squad and tactics like last season: “There are no inventors of football, it was invented a long time ago and it is clear that I am not going to invent it. It is clear that last year I wanted to invent something.
“As for mentality, the Paris team (from the Champions League final), of course, has everything, mentality, attack and defend. We have to play a complete game and only then can we win games and titles.”
On Barcelona: “They have only drawn one league game and they are in a good dynamic in the championship. They have had some problems in the Champions League that can happen in that competition, but in the league, they have been spectacular.”
On last year’s Clasico loss and its impact: “I haven’t put up the video from last year. The players know the rival very well. Last year’s match is not going to affect it, this is another year, another Clasico, another competition.
“We hope to play a good game and we want to present a good image. But it is not a life-or-death match. It’s special, but the season is too long. We want to win, of course.”
On whether a defeat would do more damage to Barcelona: “I don’t know how it would affect them, we have to think about winning the game. It’s a team that has the resources to have a great season.”
On Eder Militao’s season: “He is doing very well, at a very high level, he has individual quality, physical quality, of a high-level central defender.”
On Karim Benzema: “I’ve seen him much better this week, his condition has improved a lot. I’m convinced that tomorrow we’ll see the usual Karim.”
On Barcelona’s style of play: “Their history speaks clearly, they continue with a style that the fans and the club like. It is an idea that has given them success and that they continue to have. Other clubs have other ideas.
“I think that having only one style is not the best for me. The players change and the most important thing is to have the players comfortable with the style they play.”
On if he watched Barcelona vs Inter Milan: “I think we played differently from Inter, but it’s true that what Inter showed in the game was brave. They didn’t lower their arms after the goal, they played effectively upfront. It will be a different and an even match.”
On what Rudiger offers to the team: “Rudiger brings strength in duels, heading in both areas. It is not a surprise that he scored at the end. Like Militao, they have this quality of the header. What he brings more are his mentality and his personality. A winner who never stops in training. He is a very pessimistic defender.”
Source: SPORT
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder unlikely to be available vs Inter Milan as recovery continues
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was dealt a massive boost as some of the key players in the squad, including Aurelien Tchouameni trained with the team ahead of Inter Milan clash.
The Spanish giants take on Inter on Tuesday, in what will be the team’s opening game in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Unfortunately, not all who have returned to training will make it for this crucial matchup this weekend.
Tchouameni unlikely to be available
According to Diario AS, Tchouameni’s chances of making it to the midweek contest against Inter Milan remains slim.
The midfielder has been injured for a considerable time now and is yet to fully recover from his knock, despite training with the team.
The report suggests it could be a miracle to even see the French international manage to make the squad for the UCL clash.
So effectively, the player is ruled out of the Inter Milan game, unless something unexpected happens over the next 48 hours.
A big blow for Mourinho
The continued absence of Tchouameni is not something that will surprise Mourinho, but it will come as a blow nonetheless.
The Real Madrid manager, after all, is short of midfield options going into the Inter clash, with three of his players expected to face suspension.
Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler had all picked up a red card in their last Champions League match and are, therefore, suspended for this game.
That leaves Mourinho with Federico Valverde as the only viable central midfielder available, with question marks over Thiago Pitarch’s fitness.
Unless Mourinho is willing to give a chance to Jorge Cestero, the Portuguese tactician might have to make some adjustment to the setup, potentially fielding Jude Bellingham in a deeper role.
Another option is Trent Alexander-Arnold starting on the right midfield position to offer more support to Bellingham and Valverde.
Tchouameni’s presence, to that end, could have been a great boon for the coach.
