Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Modric, Hazard, Kroos, Militao, and Xavi ahead of Sevilla clash
Real Madrid will hope to maintain their incredible run of form as they take on Sevilla in gameweek 32 of La Liga tomorrow night.
The team, despite playing 120 minutes of football against Chelsea, will be ready for the game given they are a foot and a half away from the title.
Ahead of the mouthwatering clash, Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media as part of his routine pre-game press conference, answering all questions and concerns. We at Madrid Universal follow the presser in this thread.
On the players: “The players are fine after the Chelsea game, we have had time to recover well.”
“We are ready to face Sevilla, both mentally and physically. The players feel weel, they are ready.”
On Luka Modric’s contract: “Modric will finish his career at Real Madrid, this is the idea of the club and Luka. He will not have problems to renew his contract.”
“I coached a football legend, Paolo Maldini, who won the Champions League at 40. I have to compare Luka to him: for the quality, seriousness, how he understands football. They are both legends.”
“Modric takes great care of himself, he has not had any major injuries in his career and that helps him a lot.”
On Eden Hazard: “Hazard is fine. He removed the plate in his ankle because he had pain and infections. Now he has time to recover.”
On Antonio Cassano’s comments about Madrid: “We all know Cassano. I don’t have anything to say.”
On Vinicius Tobas: “He’s learning, he’s young and I think he has a lot of quality.”
On Ferland Mendy and Marcelo: “Mendy and Marcelo will not play tomorrow. But their problems are not serious.”
On Toni Kroos’ reaction to being subbed vs Chelsea: “It happens. I do not have to talk about it. I know him very well, and I have no problems with him.”
“He was not angry at Carlo Ancelotti, he was angry at the coach. His reaction is normal, it does not bother me.”
On Eder Militao: “Militao has surprised me a lot. I did not know him well as a player. He is a top player, very strong. He can improve in some aspects, like the reading of the game but he’s having an amazing season.”
On La Liga: “La Liga is not over. All the world is waiting for us to drop points, but we will compete until the end.“
On Atletico Madrid: “Atletico’s defence against Manchester City was very, very, very good. They could do more with the ball, yes, but they defended incredibly well.”
On Eduardo Camavinga: “Camavinga brings a lot of energy to the midfield and we saw what he does. He’s been key against PSG and Chelsea.”
On Madrid’s style: “What does it mean, ‘playing well’? In my opinion, playing well means doing good with and without the ball. Football is attacking and defending, both are equally important.”
“I don’t care if people say we don’t play well. We are competing for titles. We want to win.”
On Xavi’s comments about Barcelona being the most difficult job: “Any team is difficult, some are asked for titles, others just to play well, and others to avoid relegation. Every job is difficult.”
Source: Real Madrid Twitter
In what will come as a pleasing development for fans, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo could make a comeback from his injury earlier than expected.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been out of action since March after suffering an ACL injury during a La Liga game against Getafe.
Due to the complete rupture of the ACL, coupled with associated meniscus damage, it was suggested that the attacker was staring at a lengthy time out on the sidelines and might not return until 2027.
In fact, the forward’s father, Eric Goes, recently stated in an interview that the Real Madrid ace could be back in February next year, just before the business end of the campaign.
Rodrygo could be back in December
However, as per the update from Romano, Rodrygo’s comeback could happen well before that expected date.
Indeed, if things continue to progress at the current rate, the 25-year-old attacker might return to action in December or by January 2027 at the latest.
This will come as a welcome boost for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that Rodrygo is a valuable player for the team.
Even though he had endured a tough spell prior to his form, the Brazilian’s versatility, work rate off the ball, and eye for a goal make him an asset.
Rodrygo eager to be back at his best
The update from Romano further states that Rodrygo feels very grateful to Real Madrid for all the help and support they have given him during this difficult phase of his career.
As such, the Brazilian international has made it a mission to return to action in the best shape possible and make an impact from the get-go.
The attacker has only recently begun working on the pitch with the ball indicating the significant progress he has made on the road to recovery.
And, if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could recover one of their ace attackers before the end of the current year.
So far in his career, Rodrygo has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 71 goals. He has a contract with the club until 2028.
