Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, addressed various topics in a recent press conference ahead of his team's crucial match against Valencia on Saturday, April 5, in the 30th round of La Liga. One of the notable topics raised during the conference was the controversy surrounding the registration of two Barcelona players, Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, for the upcoming matches. This issue had sparked a great deal of attention, and Ancelotti was asked about it multiple times during the conference. According to the Spanish newspaper Marca, Ancelotti was questioned three times on this matter, more than Barcelona’s head coach Hans Flick had been questioned in his own press conference about the same issue.
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Ancelotti, however, was quick to clarify that he was not the right person to comment on this matter. He responded firmly, stating, "This is not a question for me, and I don’t want to comment on it." His position was clear, as he did not want to delve into a topic that was outside his area of responsibility. Nonetheless, when the issue was raised again regarding whether the decision to allow the registration of the two Barcelona players could be perceived as an attempt to manipulate the competition, Ancelotti dismissed this notion. He responded, "No, I don’t think the decision spoils the competition," signaling that he did not believe that the registration decision would have any impact on the fairness of the league or the integrity of the competition. His response was designed to quell any concerns or rumors suggesting foul play, and it emphasized his belief in the fairness of the league.
Turning to more immediate matters concerning his own team, Ancelotti addressed the situation regarding Real Madrid’s goalkeepers. There had been some concern about the fitness of key goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and whether he would be fit in time for the upcoming Champions League match on Tuesday. Ancelotti sought to reassure everyone by saying, "There is no need to worry, Courtois is much better, and we believe he will be able to play on Tuesday." He also explained that the team was still uncertain about the status of backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was dealing with some doubts regarding his fitness. Ancelotti confirmed that Lunin would test himself in today’s training session, and if he was not deemed fit, then young goalkeeper Fran González would step in as a backup. Ancelotti praised González, acknowledging his potential despite his young age, saying, "Fran González is a great goalkeeper, his only issue is his young age. If his time comes tomorrow, we will be very happy for him because we are all convinced of his bright future." The coach's confidence in González reflected the trust he had in the team's depth and the future of the young goalkeeper.
One of the more significant and anticipated events for Real Madrid is their upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, which will take place on April 26 in Seville at the La Cartuja Olympic Stadium. This match promises to be an intense and highly competitive encounter between the two arch-rivals. In the press conference, Ancelotti was asked about his approach to the final and how he planned to handle the pressure of facing Barcelona in such an important match. He acknowledged the quality of Barcelona’s team and their impressive form, stating, "Barcelona is playing very well. When you’re in a final, you have to respect all your opponents. There is great respect for Barcelona." However, he also emphasized his team's own excitement and ambition, expressing that they were "very happy to play another final" and that they were "getting closer to achieving our goal."
As for his personal future with the team, Ancelotti was asked a provocative question about whether he would consider leaving the club if he were to win the historic treble this season, referring to the potential of winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. The question seemed to play on the idea of Ancelotti bowing out on a high note after such an extraordinary achievement. Ancelotti’s response was straightforward and pragmatic, stating, "I won’t be the one to ask for that." This indicated that he was not considering stepping away from the club at this stage and was fully focused on his work with the team.
In the latter part of the conference, Ancelotti discussed some defensive issues that had plagued Real Madrid throughout the season. While the team had made significant progress in their collective defensive organization, he acknowledged that there were still areas to improve. He remarked, "It’s true that we’ve improved as a team; I don’t think there are any individual mistakes. Against Sociedad, Alaba, who played well, was just unlucky. Considering our defensive style, we didn’t deserve to concede four goals." His comments suggested that, despite occasional lapses, the team’s defensive shape and collective effort had improved, but there was still a need to be more consistent, particularly against tough opponents.
Finally, Ancelotti addressed the situation of star midfielder Jude Bellingham, who had been carrying some minor physical issues. Ancelotti hinted that resting Bellingham was a potential option, but he noted that the player had excellent recovery capabilities and was in good physical shape. "Resting Bellingham is an option, but he’s a player who recovers quickly and is in good physical condition. We’ll see in today’s training, but it’s possible he might get some rest," Ancelotti said, emphasizing his trust in Bellingham’s ability to perform at a high level despite the physical demands of the season.
In summary, Ancelotti’s press conference addressed a wide range of topics, from the Barcelona registration issue to the team’s goalkeeping situation and upcoming cup final. His answers were typically measured, focused on staying positive and confident about his team’s abilities while maintaining respect for the competition and opponents. His pragmatic approach to each issue reflected his leadership style and his ability to keep the team focused on their goals despite the distractions surr
ounding them.
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