Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Mbappe, Bale, Modric, and UCL final ahead of Real Betis clash
Club football is about to draw curtains on the season in the coming weeks. The Europa League final was contested between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers yesterday, and the Conference League final and the Champions League final are set to go ahead on 25th and 28th May, respectively.
However, before we can move to the cup finals, Real Madrid will host Real Betis in the final gameweek of La Liga. The result of this game has no consequences for Madrid, something as little as a draw could fifth place and Europa League football for Betis.
Ahead of this encounter, Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media as part of the pre-game press conference.
On the game: “Good feelings ahead of tomorrow’s game. It will be the last game at Santiago Bernabeu and we want to thank our fans for this season. We want to win.”
On Gareth Bale: “Gareth Bale trained today and he will be in the squad for tomorrow’s game. We will see if he will seat on the bench.”
“Ths whole world knows Gareth Bale is leaving Real Madrid and will say goodbye. But we have to remember he’s part of this club’s history and he’s been very important.”
On the team selection: “Modric and Marcelo will play tomorrow. Alaba will return to training on Monday.”
“Same XI of the final tomorrow? No, I’m not thinking about that. I want to give minutes to the players who have played less.”
“We want to play a competitive game tomorrow. The players who didn’t play against Cadiz will have more minutes tomorrow.”
On the contracts: “The players whose contracts end this year are not thinking about it. They are focused on these last two games.”
On the UCL final: “We have not thought about the UCL final yet. We will start working on it on Monday. But everything is ready.”
“Doubts on the starting XI against Liverpool? No. It’s all clear for me.”
On the guard of honour: “A double guard of honour between Madrid and Betis? I don’t know (laughs). It will be a great game. I would give Betis a guard of honour because they won Copa del Rey, an important trophy.”
On Kylian Mbappe: “If fans ask me about Mbappe? No. I think all our fans are focused on the UCL final.”
“I am not thinking about Kylian Mbappé at all. Our only focus is the Champions League final. And stop.”
“Mbappe or winning the Champions League? I think we all are thinking about winning our 14th Champions League.”
“Mbappe’s final decision? Look, I’m only concerned about the UCL final right now.”
Source: Real Madrid Twitter
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dreams of playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid, the winger’s father has revealed following the UEFA Champions League clash between the two teams last night.
Kvaratskhelia, 22, exploded upon arriving at Napoli last year, leading them to the Serie A title on the back of his explosive performances.
The Georgian winger has been impressing in the ongoing campaign as well, although he failed to score or assist in either of Napoli’s meetings with Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages.
Kvaratskhelia has previously spoken about how he has always been a lifelong supporter of Real Madrid and grew up idolising some of the club’s legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Guti, among others.
Now, the 22-year-old winger’s father has revealed that his son has always dreamt of and continues to dream of playing for Real Madrid.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Kvaratskhelia’s father said: “Khvicha always dreamed and still dreams of playing for Real Madrid. I am sure about it.”
Talking about the fact that the winger got to play against Real Madrid, Kvaratskhelia’s father added: “For Khvicha, playing vs Real Madrid was special. In my family, everyone is a Real Madrid supporter, except me.”
Real Madrid are in the market for attacking reinforcements, but they are looking for a centre-forward next summer and have Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as their main targets.
As for Kvaratskhelia, whose market value stands at €85 million, it seems quite apparent that he harbours dreams of playing for Real Madrid. But it remains to be seen if there is some interest from Los Blancos in signing the winger.
