Real Madrid are getting ready to face off las Palmas on match day 3 of the 2024/25 LaLiga season. After falling short in their opening game 1-1, the merengues quickly bounced back with a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Ahead of Thursdays showdown, Carlo Ancelotti attended his pre-match presser, where he touched on several topics.
Ancelotti’s presser ahead of the showdown
During Ancelotti’s presser, the Italian gaffer was asked a hand full of questions including the squad depth, to which he responded;
“We have enough depth in our squad. We’re very lucky and fine in that respect.”
Ancelotti was then taken back to a comment he made in 2014 as another journalist asked; “In 2014, you said when you had Ronaldo you started games 1-0 ahead, is this the same?” with the Italian gaffer replying:
“Mbappé, Vinicius… Rodrygo… we have many resources. We have six goals and the team is not yet at its best. That says a lot. We’ll never have goal problems, you can see.”
Eder Militão, who suffered a season ending injury last season has been in the headlines lately for his incredible performances. On that regards, Ancelotti said;
“Eder Militão is back to his BEST. He is a fantastic duo to Rüdiger and his long passes are incredible, which is very useful because of our fast attackers.”
The manager was further asked if he had set any goal targets for star midfielder Fede Valverde as was the case 2 years ago and Ancelotti shockingly replied;
This season I asked for 30 goals (laughs).”
He then continued to praise the URUGUAYAN international, highlights his importance in the team:
“Fede Valverde has become more and more important every day. He is a leader in the dressing room as he’s supposed to be. That’s what great professionals do. He generates a serious and a positive atmosphere.”
“Fede Valverde has carried on a leadership role after the likes of Casemiro left. He has done an incredible job.”
Real Madrid are currently left with only two fit CB’s, while anticipating a return for David Alaba, who suffered an ACL injury in December last year. On the Austrian’s recovery, Ancelotti remarked;
“David Alaba is still recovering, he’s doing very well. Today he stepped on the pitch on Real Madrid City and things are looking good. It’s important to be patient.”
Summer signing kylian Mbappe made the perfect start to his Real Madrid career against Atalanta. The French forward has since struggled in the opening two LaLiga matches. On Mbappe’s form, Ancelotti said;
I think the last time he scored was on August 14th. That was only 2 weeks ago, we are not worried and he is not worried.”
On the player’s relationship in the dressing room, Ancelotti added;
“Kylian Mbappé has a fantastic attitude and is very humble. He’s improving every day and we’re very happy with him.”
Amongst the questions Ancelotti received, one journalist wanted to know his reaction to Dani Olmo’s LaLiga registration, a topic that has been under scrutiny in recent hours. However the manager seemed uninterested as he said:
“Dani Olmo’s controversial registration? Ask that question to La Liga. At Real Madrid, we respect all players and teams.”
On the champions league new format the manager said;
“The new UCL format? I don’t have an opinion yet, because we haven’t played something like that yet. Sometimes new changes can be good.”
To round-off the day, Ancelotti was asked to give an advice to Real Madrid’s outcast, Reinier Jesus, as the manager said:
