Ancelotti: "We don't feel invincible"

"An important component of football is continuity, it is a challenge that we always have to pursue"

   MADRID, 21 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, admitted this Friday that they do not feel "invincible", but that they are "a team that is doing well" that "always" sees itself as a "challenge" to maintain "continuity", at the same time that "few changes" advanced for this Saturday's game (9:00 p.m.) against Sevilla and the return of Thibaut Courtois.

"The team is fine, we have good dynamics and we have to continue like this, bearing in mind that each game has its difficulties. Sevilla is trying to get out of a difficult period and they are doing well. In recent games they have shown commitment and attitude , it will cost us as always, there are no games that do not cost you", commented the Italian at a press conference about the duel against the Sevillians from LaLiga Santander.

The coach, despite the positive streak at the start of the course with 15 games without losing, stressed that they do not feel "invincible". "In the history of football there have never been invincible teams, anyone can beat you. There are many things that can determine the final result, we are a team that is doing well, but not invincible, and we want to continue", he reflected on the moment of white set happiness.

Thus, he highlighted "continuity" as an "important component of football", setting himself as a "challenge" to be "a team that fights and sacrifices each game". "We are not always forceful, with collective commitment, sometimes we look at ourselves too much in the mirror. There are many things that you can improve at a collective level", he pointed out. "On an individual level it is difficult to improve these players. The genetics here, we have to thank the parents because they have given us great quality players," he joked.

Asked about the state of Courtois, who has already completed two sessions with the group recovered from his sciatica, Ancelotti announced that he is returning to the squad, who will only be out due to injury to Dani Ceballos. "Everyone has recovered, if I make some changes it's just to avoid future problems, but tomorrow I'm not going to change much," he announced.

The coach valued the good moment that Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde is going through, who already has six goals in the League, showing a "great level". "It seemed strange to me that with the quality he has, he only scored one goal last year. Now he has a lot of confidence and it's normal for him to score from outside the area, his hitting is tremendous, almost like Asensio's," commented the Italian, ironically affirming that he will not raise the bet with the midfielder, to whom he assured that if he scored less than 10 goals this year he would break his coaching card.

As for other proper names, Ancelotti stressed that Marco Asensio "is motivated" and "working well", despite the "few minutes" he is counting on. "But he has scored goals. He is one of the players who can be a starter without any problem or doubt," he added, before updating Toni Kroos' situation and his renewal.

"I have spoken with Kroos, he is very calm, he will think about it after the World Cup. Personally, I think he will continue, his level now is better than last year. He is at a very high level," he said of the German.

Precisely, Ancelotti highlighted the "tranquility" that currently reigns in the locker room, with a "good atmosphere", although he warned that "the moment of difficulty will come". "Last year it came twice and we were able to get it out quickly. When it comes, we have to be ready," he warned.

With less than a month to go until the start of the World Cup in Qatar, Ancelotti wanted to make it clear that "he is not an enemy" for Real Madrid, since "all the teams have players who are going to go". "Above all, it is an individual player issue, the need to rest, it may be that some arrive early and don't need rest. I think that this part of the season helps to see a World Cup with more intensity, because the players arrive in a moment in which they are at their best. In the previous ones, they arrived exhausted, now they will arrive with a lot of energy", he reflected.

Finally, the Italian addressed the situation of former white players Sergio Ramos and Isco. Of the central defender, he emphasized his physical potential despite his age, something that does not "surprise" them, since he "remains one of the strongest central defenders in the world." In addition, he was "happy" to see the Malaga midfielder again, whom he has "a lot of affection for." "He is a great footballer for this club and a good person," he concluded.