Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Vinicius, Kroos, Ceballos, Courtois, Benzema ahead of Cacereno vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid will play their first match of 2023 on Tuesday night when they take on RFEF Second Division outfit CP Cacereno in the Copa del Rey Round of 32.
Los Blancos head into the game on the back of a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid in La Liga and will be looking to advance in the cup competition that they have not won since 2014.
On the eve of the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti appeared in front of the media for his customary pre-match press conference and answered various questions, the excerpts from which are as follows.
On the open training session earlier today: “There’s a good atmosphere. It’s very nice to do it. We’re delighted to do it. The fans are always close to us. It’s an important part of our job.”
On Vinicius facing racist abuse against Valladolid: “I cannot talk about an issue that for me does not have to exist. Racism and xenophobia do not have to exist. We are wrong, it is not Vinicius’ problem, it is society’s problem. Tolerance in this sense must be zero.”
On tomorrow’s match vs Cacereno: “Tomorrow is a match in which we have to be smart. In matches you have to put quality, commitment, fight… In a match in a competition like the Cup, we have to put in everything we have, which is quality, commitment, and also fight.”
On a busy schedule ahead: “It’s complicated, but we have all the resources to manage it well. We have the data, a technical staff with many people, the physio gives us information. It’s something new, but it can be managed well. The matches also help to improve the condition of the players.”
On whether he wishes to see Dani Ceballos continue at the club: “I don’t go into this subject. What I see is a player who is well, motivated, motivated and willing to train well. It’s a matter that the player has to evaluate with the club.”
On Toni Kroos’ future: “Kroos is going to be very clear in the next month. I think so, as a football fan it’s impossible to think he’s going to stop. Hopefully, he can continue.”
On whether competition organisers should do more to tackle racism: “I don’t go into this issue. It doesn’t have to be a problem of La Liga or of sanctions, it’s a cultural issue, of society in general. It is a problem of a society that does not have the education it should have.
“I will not focus on such an important issue in Vinicius, in La Liga or in sanctions. We have to look at something bigger: the problem of racism and xenophobia is very important.”
On travelling 300km by bus for tomorrow’s game: “I am happy to go by bus, because this way you can see something of Spain. It is a time to enjoy this wonderful country.”
On whether the contract situations of several players will hurt the team: “I don’t think we have any kind of problem with people talking about this. The status of the players and the clubs is also changing a bit. When a player reaches the end of his contract it is not as worrying as it was in the last few years. The clubs are not as worried about it.”
On Real Madrid winning just three Copa del Rey trophies in 30 years: “For us it is important. It’s not the most important one, which for us is the Champions League, but for the crest on our shirt we have to dignify all the competitions and win as many as you can.”
On Thibaut Courtois and Dani Carvajal’s training absence: “They have small problems. They will be available for the Villarreal game. They are rested tomorrow, as are Kroos, Alaba, Benzema, Vinicius and Mendy, who won’t have minutes. The rest are travelling to play a good game.”
On Castilla players: “Tomorrow we have Sergio Arribas, Nico Paz, Marvel and Álvaro Rodríguez. They are players who are doing very well with Castilla. Raúl is doing a very good job, because the young players are progressing very quickly.
“Also others like Mario Martín, Rafa Marín… The youth academy is producing players who can be useful for the future of Real Madrid.”
On the training session today: “It was very good. It’s a nice moment for us and the fans to be together. In this type of training, because of the noise around you can’t talk too much with the players. In a tactical training session you have to stop and talk to the players, which you can’t do in this kind of session, but it’s nice.”
Source: Real Madrid Twitter
Real Madrid News
Arsenal, Manchester City had held talks with Real Madrid star over potential move – report
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler has been one of the standout performers for Los Blancos in an otherwise inconsistent start to the season.
The 21-year-old’s rise has not gone unnoticed in the Premier League, with a host of England’s biggest clubs keeping close tabs on the Turkey international.
Now, fresh details have emerged over just how serious that interest became during the summer.
Arsenal and City held talks over Guler
According to Graemy Bailey, both Arsenal and Manchester City held discussions with Guler’s representatives over a potential summer switch to England.
The two clubs were in the market for elite attacking reinforcements and are said to have outlined their plans for the player while attempting to tempt him away from the Spanish capital.
There was hope among the interested parties that Guler’s standing at the Bernabeu might become less secure under new head coach Jose Mourinho, potentially opening the door for an exit.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are also understood to have made contact with his camp during the year, underlining just how coveted the playmaker has become.
Guler commits his future to Madrid
Those hopes, however, have now been firmly extinguished.
Guler had been given assurances by the club’s hierarchy that he remained central to their long-term plans, and he is understood to be a major favourite of president Florentino Perez.
Far from pushing him out, Mourinho has made his admiration clear, handing the youngster regular minutes and a growing role in the side.
That faith was on full display on Wednesday, when Guler delivered two assists as Madrid came from behind to win a thrilling 4-3 contest at Roma.
His future is now effectively settled. Guler has reportedly agreed a new contract that ties him to the club until at least 2031, extending a deal that previously ran to 2029 and rewarding his progress with a salary increase.
