[Chiringuito] Your Real Madrid in December are 18 points over Barcelona and 13 points over Atlético. Can we call it the Ancelotti Effect?
No… [śmiech] I don’t think this is it [śmiech]. I really have a team that makes me calm because I know they are doing well on the pitch. They manage the game well, have a defensive commitment … They are a team that … A team! They are not just players of great quality. The difference we made in this first part of the season is just that: a team with this individual quality is able to bring them together for the sole purpose of winning Real Madrid.
[COPE] Your team has 10 wins in a row and 4 matches without conceding a goal. Do you like it more offensively or defensively?
I really like the team defensively. We improved the defensive aspect the most since the start of the season. We are more reliable. It’s true that the pressure isn’t too high, but that’s what suits us best, because in a low block we have the best chance of using attackers in counterattack.
[SER] It feels like Real Madrid won the trophy because that’s how you celebrated the victory. What did you say to Modric in the post-match embrace?
I congratulated him on the match because he played an amazing game. I don’t know what exactly I told him, but his match was spectacular. There is not much to say: with the ball, without it, with continuity, with personality. Exceptional.
[Onda Cero] Yesterday you said you were not interested in the past. There are 21 queues left and it seems that this league can only be lost by Real. You are on your way to breaking a lot of records [śmiech Ancelottiego] and you can finish it in March.
But you’re putting pressure on me [śmiech]. We are the favorite today, you can say that. We did well, better than the others, but we focus on the next meetings, because the mental depression can cost you a lot. We are doing well, but you have to go further because this is the only way to get as close to winning as possible.
[Radio Nacional] You talk about defensive improvement, you give it a lot of weight. With this improvement in defense and offense performance outside of the league, can you also fight in the Champions League?
I don’t know what might happen in the Champions League. As I have said many times, we will also be competitive in the Champions League, no doubt about that. We will fight to the end in all competitions we have.
[MARCA] In the first stage, you won the 10th European Cup for Real, which marked part of your career. However, in this second stage, are you more satisfied with your work and with the players?
I am very happy to be here. In the first stage I was very happy, but I don’t forget that in the second year we won 22 games in a row and then in the second part of the season we didn’t do well. I don’t forget about it. I’m happy, but I know there may be pitfalls in the second part of the season. We have to avoid this, and it may be that the experience of the first stage can help me avoid mistakes.
[AS] Last season, Vinícius was said to be a great dribbler and a great striker, but then wasted shots in the last few meters. Now it is quite the opposite, and today he scored 2 assists. Do you have merit in this improvement? And did you talk to him about it after you came to the club?
It improves itself. I don’t talk to him much because I don’t have to tell him much. I always tell him to be effective. Let him not nod for nodding. If he decides it is necessary to dribble or pass or shoot, let him do so, but don’t let him nod to nod. He has to do something for the team. Today I don’t think he won any 1v1 with Marcos Llorente, but he made 2 assists which helped us win the game.
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