Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh after winning the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona. The Real Madrid coach gave his thoughts on the team’s great performance: “We wanted to win the final. We deserved to win it. We got off to a good start and took advantage of the high line at the beginning. Vinicius was in extraordinary form and from there another game started. Barcelona controlled the ball and tried to look for opportunities. It was hard for us to get it back. Right up until 4-1 the game was open and we tried to control it. In the second half, the team was very good at the back and we put in a very complete performance”.
“We’re very dangerous because there is mobility up front and we don’t have fixed attackers. This means that our opponents can’t mark us. That’s because Vinicius, Bellingham and Rodrygo are mobile. They also have help from the full-backs and that creates a lot of problems for the opposition. It was a convincing result. We scored two goals very early on and the game was wide open until it was 4-1. We played more on the counter-attack and they controlled the ball. If we thought it was going to be an easy game, we were wrong”.
Keys of the squad
“The key is the atmosphere because everyone is able to create composure and motivation. Everyone has their role to play. We have to be smart when the threat arrives”.
How do you rate yourself as Real Madrid coach?
“I’m doing very well. The challenge is to try to make the most of this period, concentrate on what’s to come and keep working hard. I like the environment where I work. I have a lot of help from my coaching staff and my players. I’m really grateful to a club that supports me and shows me affection in return. I’m up in the clouds, but when I come down from the cloud, you’ll be there to wake me up”.
Vinicius
“I took Vinicius off because of fatigue, not to avoid problems. He did an amazing job physically. In order to avoid problems and because he was coming back from injury, I took him off for 10 minutes. He has to do his job like he did today, which is to excite the fans and bring trophies to Real Madrid”.
Goalkeeper selection
“This was a game for Lunin and Kepa will be back in the league”.
Kroos in the starting line-up
“Modrić is very important for us. Kroos was a bit fresher and that’s why I named him in the starting line-up.”
Fans in Saudi Arabia
“There are a lot of fans here who have supported us and helped us. I’m glad we’ve been able to be at our best for them.”
Role of the manager
“The most important role is for the players and the coaches have to adapt. We have to look at the characteristics and keep a collective role for all the players so that they feel comfortable.”
“We’re confident because of what we’ve been doing since the beginning of the season. We don’t need any confidence boosts. We have a very strong team with individuality at a very high level and with an extremely motivational atmosphere.”
Tchouameni’s defensive work
“The defence did well. The defence was very experienced today. Tchouameni’s defensive work has to be highlighted because he cut out a lot of passes and won a lot of tackles. His work alongside Kroos was very important.”
Vini Jr. in the Clásicos
“Vinicius has done very well in the Clásicos. I remember the goal in the cup last year, also in the league games when Araujo’s own goal was provoked by Vinicius. Sometimes it’s harder for him because Araujo is a world class defender, but today he looked for the inside and not so much on the outside.”
Club president
“Before the game he wishes us luck and he’s always convinced that we can win. And he was too. He supported the players and greeted them.”
