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NEWS | Supercopa
13 January 2024

Ancelotti: "The team are up for it”

On the eve of the Super Cup final, the Madrid coach assures fans that physically and mentally his team are doing well, but that the final "will be decided by small details".

Carlo Ancelotti appeared before the media in the Al-Awwal press room and was confident in his team and their chances of success. Asked about the physical and mental state of the players, the Italian coach was categorical: "We are fine, there is calm in the dressing room". "The team is motivated, we are very close to a title and we are going to try to win," he said. 

"The Clásico makes everything even," said the Madrid coach. When he was asked about the state of the two teams, "and it will be the small details that will decide this final". Ancelotti ruled out any "desire for revenge" after last season's defeat. "We're not going out with a desire for revenge, we're going out with the hunger we go into every game with, such are the demands of this club," he explained.

A demand for success that could see him become the joint most successful coach in the history of Real Madrid, equal with Zinedine Zidane. However, Carlo Ancelotti tried to play down the importance of that fact. "I'm very satisfied, but titles stay on the shelf; what's important is the day after, and my thoughts are always looking ahead and on Thursday we have another game," he explained. 

Confident with the bench at his disposal

Ancelotti showed his confidence in the squad as a whole, which he feels is just as strong when he looks to the bench to make changes. However, with regard to his comments about the semi-final, where he said that the game had been won by those who had come off the bench, Ancelotti clarified: "The games are prepared with the starting eleven; I never think about the changes before a game, because every game is different depending on the finer details that the dynamic of the game throws up and you can't think before a game about the changes that are going to be made". "Then, due to fatigue, or a change of strategy, they might have to be made; and I'm always convinced that those on the bench are ready", he explained.

 

When speaking about individual players, the coach stressed that Carvajal "is doing well, although being a one of the more senior members of the squad it's more difficult for him to recover"; and he was full of praise for Nacho, who will probably lead the team on Sunday: "Nacho is one of the players who serve as an example for the new players coming in, in terms of seriousness, professionalism, desire and motivation", said the coach.

Ancelotti did not want to give anything away regarding the starting eleven or enter into the debate about who would play in goal. "You're very concerned, which I thank you for, but I’ll find a solution," he quipped.