Group F | Matchday 5
“It is a very intense period of the season, we play too many games. We are holding up well but, like all teams, we have some problems and casualties, “says the Real Madrid coach on the eve of the duel with Leipzig
Carlo Ancelotti does not believe that the proximity of the World Cup weighs on the heads of his players when it comes to measuring efforts and leads them to avoid putting their leg in for fear of suffering a mishap that prevents them from participating in the Qatari event. “I don’t think they think about the World Cup. It is clear that they think about getting to the World Cup well, but you do that with continuity throughout the season,” said the Real Madrid coach in the run-up to the duel that will measure his team against RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena, corresponding to the matchday five of the Champions League group stage.
“It is a very intense period of the season, we play too many games. We are holding up well but, like all teams, we have some problems and casualties. It’s normal when you play every three days, but the World Cup arrives at just the right time,” said the transalpine, who was exhaustive when asked if after the injury Varane suffered last weekend there is talk in the Real Madrid booth of the fear of a physical setback that will make them miss the World Cup: “Injuries exist. If you don’t want to injure yourself, it’s better that they stay on the couch, because they can be injured in training, in contact with a teammate… Nothing can be done and I don’t think they are worried about this. If someone does not want to train, I tell them to stay at home because there are many good movies and series », he cut short.
Ancelotti stressed that Real Madrid reaches the meeting with Leipzig with an obvious purpose: «Tomorrow’s goal is clear, to play a good game to forget about this phase and finish first in the group. We have the opportunity to do it tomorrow and we are focused, ”said the Reggiolo coach, who has Modric and Benzema absent, in addition to Valverde, all of them as a precaution. “We don’t want to risk it because it’s better to lose Benzema or Modric for one game than for a month,” said the Italian coach, who announced that Ceballos will return on Sunday.
“The club and Asensio know what I think”
He spoke about the situation of Asensio, who was decisive on Saturday against Sevilla but who still does not have an offer to renew a few months before his contractual relationship with Real Madrid expires. «The club knows very well what I think and so does Asensio. There are many players who are ending their contracts and now that there is a long break it may be the time to talk about this issue, ”said the coach, who explained that he demands the same from the Balearic Islands as from other players who have few minutes. «What I ask of a footballer who plays less is that he be professional, serious and endure the difficult moment. This is what Asensio and others are doing. Tomorrow, with the losses, some are going to play », he pointed out.
He referred to Rodrygo’s role as Benzema’s replacement in the striker position. “The center forward’s mobility is important for us. I have explained it to him and he has mobility. The teacher, who is Karim, has taught him well, because seeing Karim you understand how a center forward has to play at Real Madrid now », he explained.
He ruled out that he will grant Vinicius a truce against Leipzig. “He is going to play, he is not tired,” he said about the carioca, present in all the games this season. He underlined that all the games before the World Cup are important, despite the fact that Real Madrid has practically done its homework in the Champions League. “There is little left for the break, we have done well and the objective is to finish this part of the season well, which does not decide anything but puts you in a good position when you come back in the League and the Champions League”, dissected the Real Madrid coach, who He explained that, apart from the goalscoring challenge he launched against Valverde, he only has a collective bet with his pupils. “He happens to do very well this year too,” he revealed.
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