Ancelotti talks about a possible rest for Mbappé, the recovery of Vinicius Jr and Alaba, and Girona

Real Madrid C.F.

Girona

"A tough game, because Girona is doing well. They are always a team that competes very well, and we have to see it as an opportunity to win again and stay in the fight for LaLiga."

Criticism about his role

"I have to accept them because the team is not showing its best version. The coach is the ultimate responsible and criticism falls on him. Having said that, I feel like I'm taking a lot of hits. This might mean they're tired of me. Criticism is acceptable and I understand it. Stress and criticism are fuel to try to do better."

"Normal, but it's not a funeral. We are still in the fight for all competitions. We have to be optimistic, considering the problems we've had. But we have to be optimistic because we have a quality squad. We are convinced that we will show our best version. My level of concern is medium."

"Sometimes I read. I don't live in another world. I read the criticisms and look at the journalist, but I'm not able to connect the face with the name. I need them to give me a list with the faces. Criticism is acceptable. They have some reason, but some hits bother me because they affect identity, who you are. This bothers me more, not whether I should have chosen one lineup over another. Saying you've made a mistake is different from saying you're stupid."

Vinicius Jr and Alaba

135

Vinícius Júnior
19.210.000€-890.000€?

J20

-

J19

-

J18

4

J17

-

J16

DL

58

0

Alaba
2.770.000€+120.000€?

J20

-

J19

-

J18

-

J17

-

J16

DF

00

"It's good news for us. Vinicius had an injury from which he has recovered very well. He will be ready for the Champions League match. Alaba has encouraged us a lot and needs another month to be ready to play in January. Now in December, he will continue working individually and gradually join the team's training sessions. His timeframe is in the next year."

The team suffers when pressed high

"It's true that Liverpool and Athletic are very brave teams. To solve this, you have to play more direct. Look for the second ball, on the bounce. It's the simplest way. A long ball and fight for the second ball. It's what can be done in the future, not to force the build-up from the back too much. We've played Champions League finals using this system. I learned this very well in England. The long ball is another part of football. Because if you don't have tall forwards, the second ball, when it drops, is also important. The center-backs can win the first, but what's important is when the ball drops."

Mbappé Possible rest?

140

Mbappé
23.800.000€-100.000€?

J20

-1

J19

15

J18

-

J17

10

J16

DL

210

"He's aware of what he's doing and what he can do. We stand by him. He's a player who is not showing his best version, but there are others who aren't either and aren't aware they're not showing their best version."

"You have to evaluate all things and communicate with the player to improve on the field. In the last two games, he has improved in intensity. We have to support him, and that doesn't mean he has to play every game. It may be that someday a rest could do him good. His issue is continuity. The most important thing is that he is aware of this. The issue of penalties depends on moments. Mbappé was motivated at San Mamés. He has to endure the moment, fight, sacrifice... In terms of intensity, he has improved, and that's what I focus on."

Club World Cup

"It was a very nice presentation, with my friend Del Piero as the host. It will be a very nice competition for the fans."