Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Courtois, Modric, Hazard, Benzema, Camavinga ahead of Real Madrid vs Shakhtar
Real Madrid will be aiming to get back to winning ways when they lock horns with Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Real Madrid dropped their first points of the 2022/23 season across all competitions this past weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Osasina. And the reigning champions of Spain and Europe will be intent on producing a strong reaction after the disappointing result.
The game against Shakhtar Donetsk will give them the opportunity to just that and manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press on the eve of the game, outlining his team’s objectives as well as providing team news update.
On the Shakhtar game: “We all know that it is a very important game to get the group back on track. We are well prepared for this and the fact that we did not play a good game on Sunday counts. We want to show another attitude, another image.”
On team news: “Courtois won’t play tomorrow. Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez will return. The one who won’t be there will be Ceballos, who has had a problem with his hamstring”.
On whether Modric will start: “I’m not sure if he will start tomorrow.”
On Eden Hazard: “It is clear that each player knows his situation. If a player asks me for an explanation, I give it to him, but Eden has not spoken to me. He knows the situation, that the competition is very tough, as it happens to him to other players.
On Karim Benzema being criticised: “When he’s not at his best, people may have different opinions. But that’s normal and doesn’t affect us.”
On which among UCL and La Liga is difficult to win: “I always wanted to win the Champions League. La Liga is very important, but the Champions League is the most important in football and winning it means a lot.
“They are two different competitions, of course. Because one has 38 games and much less. Small details influence the Champions League and that’s not luck or bad luck. To talk about luck is to hide many things. I
“It’s as if I were to say that we were unlucky against Osasuna because we missed a penalty, it would be to hide that we were wrong in recovery or that Osasuna played very well. Small details are also a collective mentality”.
“And I add that Madrid is the one that takes the most care of these details in its history”
On Courtois’ condition: “He’s much better. We have doubts against Getafe, but it could be that next week he’ll be against Shakhtar and against Barça, obviously.”
On Xavi and Messi’s statement about best teams not always winning UCL: “I can’t comment on this. Everyone has their opinion.
“For me, playing football is many things, not just having a good time with the ball. You are not successful if you only do well one thing, especially in the Champions League. It’s easier to say that the Champions are won by the best.”
On whether Camavinga is better coming on as a sub: “I agree. When the game starts he has a more positional problem. It’s a matter of time, experience… It’s the aspect that will improve because he is a player with quality extraordinary. He is 19 years old, everything that happens to him is normal.”
On Shakhtar Donetsk: “They are a team that have had a lot of problems training, travelling… They have started well in the Champions League group, their style is similar to last year. They’re very vertical, with fast forwards and strong counterattacks. We have a lot of respect for them.”
Source: MARCA
Real Madrid News
Carlos Espi reacts after scoring match-winning goal in Elche 2-3 Real Madrid: ‘Starting like this is a dream’
Carlos Espi is becoming Real Madrid’s unlikely late-game specialist.
The 21-year-old once again came off the bench to rescue Jose Mourinho’s side, this time scoring the 91st-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Elche.
It was his second goal for the club, and both have arrived at crucial moments.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, Espi could barely contain his excitement.
“I’m so happy—the happiest man in the world. I try to help the team any way I can, and every time I step onto the field, I give it my all and come away feeling great.
“Starting like this has been a dream. This isn’t over yet; we’re going to keep going because we have Sunday’s match coming up.
Carlos Espi winning goal in Elche vs Real Madrid game. Mbappe assist. pic.twitter.com/STJBV3ikQL
— Daily Foot Vibes (@dailyfootvibes) September 16, 2026
“This is a team effort. All of us who take the field make the most of our opportunities and give it our all,” he began.
Espi keeps making his minutes count
There is a growing pattern to Espi’s involvement. Even though he has yet to start a match for the first team, that has not stopped him from making an impact.
His first goal arrived against Espanyol in Real Madrid’s opening game, when another late strike helped secure the result.
Against Elche, he was required again after Real Madrid surrendered a two-goal lead and suddenly found themselves in serious trouble.
Espi eventually appeared at the back post in the 91st minute and finished the move to give Mourinho’s team all three points.
The youngster shared the credit with his teammates, but he also had special praise for the player who supplied his decisive moment.
That assist came from Kylian Mbappe, whose presence has made Espi’s route into the starting XI particularly difficult.
“It’s unbelievable—it’s crazy to watch him train and play. In this case, he set me up for the goal, and I’m very happy for him, too.”
First Madrid derby already has Espi excited
The timing of Espi’s latest contribution could hardly be more interesting, as Real Madrid now face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, giving the forward an opportunity to experience his first Madrid derby.
“I’m really looking forward to it—I’m so excited. It’s my first derby here, and we’re going to go for it.”
For Mourinho, Espi is a useful option when matches become chaotic. He may not yet be a regular starter, but his two appearances on the scoresheet have carried considerably more weight than the minutes he has played.
