Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his concerns over Real Madrid's packed schedule ahead of the Champions League draw.
The conference, strategically held before training at Valdebebas, aimed to streamline discussions ahead of their league match.
Ancelotti expressed his thoughts on the congested schedule, stating, “In a perfect world, we wouldn’t play these matches, but we failed to make the Top-8. They will be entertaining, I can say that. And we have the resources to overcome them.”
He highlighted the strain of playing an additional 74 matches this season, with little room for traditional preparation. “There’s no preparation time; it’s recovery, video analysis, and then straight to the next match for the next 40 days. Our job is to have the team ready and prepared,” he elaborated.
Looking at the immediate future, Real Madrid is set for three consecutive away games in La Liga against Espanyol, Osasuna, and Real Betis.
Ancelotti acknowledged the difficulty, noting, “Expect a tough and challenging game (at Espanyol) as always; it’s a crucial moment in La Liga for all teams. The points are becoming more vital than at the start, we have an advantage, and we want to keep it that way.”
Regarding the Champions League draw, where Real Madrid could potentially face either Manchester City or Celtic, Ancelotti emphasized the importance of every match. “Every match can depend on the season; everything impacts the season. We must consider the numerous games we have to play.
“From now until the break in March, we have 13 matches, which is a lot. Each match is vital from now on because much is at stake,” he added.
On the tactical side, Ancelotti discussed the versatility of Rodrygo, who has been playing on both wings. “This is a good question because it can be a topic of debate. He feels very comfortable on the left wing but has contributed significantly on the right.
“I think he’s a complete player; we’re aware he prefers the left, but someone has to make sacrifices.”
Addressing rumors about interest from Saudi clubs, Ancelotti was candid about the appeal of Real Madrid. “It’s hard for me to talk about the future of footballers because these are personal decisions. But what I see is that those here are very happy and want to stay as long as possible.
“They want to win trophies, contribute. After that, what each individual thinks, I don’t know.” He added with a light-hearted tone, “Now, I don’t like to name names, but there are a lot of players who want to come here. Some, you wouldn’t even suspect.”
Lastly, on the return of Vinicius Junior, Ancelotti was optimistic, “I think he knows what he must do on the pitch because he’s a mature person. He’s trained well, he’s fresh, and can contribute a lot to the team in tomorrow’s match.”
As Real Madrid navigates through this demanding fixture list, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how Ancelotti’s strategies unfold in this marathon of football.
