Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of Real Madrid’s seventh match of the Champions League season, against RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday. He was asked about the rumors of his departure from the club, to which he replied: “No… no… I want to be very clear: I will never decide when I will leave this club, never in my life. One day that time will come, but I don’t know when it will be. It’s not up to me to decide. It could be tomorrow, in a few games, one year, five years… Florentino will be four more years and my goal is to reach Florentino’s four years. And so we can say goodbye together (laughs).”
Ancelotti on the match against Salzburg
“It’s important, obviously, because the League Phase is almost over. We have to add as much as possible… and we’ll see. Tomorrow’s game is vital. “We will try to play well, like we did against Las Palmas.”
Ancelotti on where the team is in quality
“It’s hard to say. We are very good offensively, but we need to improve a lot defensively. This will be the key to success this season. If we do it, we will fight until the end in all competitions.”
Ancelotti on whether the top 8 is possible
“There are not many options, but the only one is to win the two remaining games. If we have to play in the round of 32, we will do it 100%. Taking into account that the schedule will be even more demanding, but we are already used to it.”
Ancelotti on whether he feels he does not receive recognition
“Wow… I don’t think so. I feel very loved in all aspects: fans, club, media level. All. Sometimes it is a bit exaggerated, but as I said the other day, I want to be quite objective. Nothing else. To continue in my line.”
Ancelotti on Mbappé
“At first I was more likely to change positions with Vinicius, because Vini also likes to play inside. But as the days went by… it was less so. Bellingham is increasingly out of position and everything is better now. Goals are not scored from outside; You can do it, but you need more touches. If you play more inside, a run and a touch are enough. And that is what Mbappé has done many times. Because his greatest virtue is his career.”
Ancelotti on Mbappé saying he used to think too much
“And then? Think less. You have to go back to the basics in situations like this. When a player is not capable of giving his best, he complicates the plays. And that is wrong. You have to simplify, not complicate.”
Ancelotti on whether he is envious of Pep for the signings
“No, not at all. We have a very complete staff and, taking into account what happened last year, when absences raised the level of commitment, we found inspiration. “We are ready for this year.”
Ancelotti on the new UCL format
“Still… it’s hard to say. At the moment, the fact that we have two more games makes me a little more against it, but it is something new and, when something new arrives, you have to evaluate it calmly. “After these two games we will evaluate it carefully.”