2023-08-11 13:40:59
Italian Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, He was “very satisfied” with the attacking players of his squad ahead of the season that begins this Saturday in San Mamés against Athletic and commented that He believes that they will “not” sign any player to use the number ‘9’, still free after the departure of Frenchman Karim Benzema. “I don’t think so. I am very satisfied with this squad and I am very excited. I have seen something very good in the preseason. I see the players very animated, plugged in and with great enthusiasm. They have a lot of commitment and we are going to fight all season, ”he commented at a press conference when asked about the incorporation of a striker.
Ancelotti reaffirmed himself in his speech when questioned about the figure of ‘9’ and the Frenchman Kylian Mbappé. “I think not -on whether a striker is needed-. The problem we’ve had in the preseason has been the defensive aspect. In attack he lacked a bit of success, but it is normal because in preseason a striker does not have the freshness to hit“, said. “Joselu has arrived, who is very good in the area, Brahim who is very good between the lines…”, he added.
On the two strikers who will start in San Mamés, the Brazilians Vinícius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, He did not want to set a goal for them in terms of number of goals. “They have to continue with their progression, as they have done in recent years. How many goals? Don’t know. We have a team with several options to score a goal, ”he replied.
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In addition, he explained where he thinks Englishman Jude Bellingham, signed from Borussia Dortmund this summer, can play better. “He has great quality to reach the area with the ball and it does more damage if it starts in a more advanced position and not inside. He can play inside, but as a midfielder he is more dangerous”, he said.
The Italian coach also analyzed how he sees his team for the 2023-2024 season. “We are going to play with the same desire and illusion of being able to compete. In this preseason, we have seen that it is possible to play in a different way, due to the large squad that we have. In the preseason we have almost always used diamonds and it worked out well in some aspects and in others that we have to work on. There will not be just one system during the season. We can play a 4-3-3 with a center forward, 4-2-3-1 with two pivots… I am not betting only on a system”, he assured.
“Total trust in Lunin”
The Italian coach wanted to show from the first minute of his first press conference of the season his “total confidence” in the Ukrainian Andriy Lunin to be his starting goalkeeper, after the serious knee injury of Belgian Thibaut Courtois, although he acknowledged that “in In the next few days” the club will think about whether to sign another goalkeeper before the end of the market.
“Emotionally yesterday was not a good day. This usually happens in football. Now I wish Courtois that he can recover soon and give all the confidence in the world to Lunin, who is a great goalkeeper and It has already proven its quality. In the preseason he has done very well and we have total confidence in him. We think he is a talent, the only thing he lacks is experience and he will take it game by game. On a personal level we are very sad, ”he explained.
“I am very calm with Lunin. We have to think if we are going to sign another goalkeeper. If we sign it is by number, because we have a lot of confidence in Lunin. The season is very long and we will think about it in the next few days,” he declared.
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