sport">The French attacker appeared to be coming from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid next summer, but decided at the last minute to extend his expiring contract in Paris for three years. According to Spanish media, Real is quite displeased about this.
sport">“We never talk about players from other clubs,” said Ancelotti, who received the necessary questions about Mbappe during the Spanish champion’s press day towards Saturday’s final in Paris. “We have respect for everyone, for the decisions people make and for other clubs. We have to do our job. It seems clear to me what we are thinking of and that is Saturday’s final against Liverpool.”
sport">Speaking to journalists who kept asking about Mbappe missing out, Ancelotti said: “I understand you have to do your job, but I never talk about players who are not from Real Madrid and I won’t do that now.”
Casemiro: Real will continue to win, even without Mbappe
sport">Real Madrid fans don’t have to worry about next season, according to midfielder Casemiro. “This club is not about players, this club is about history,” said the Brazilian, referring to the fact that star striker Kylian Mbappe will remain at Paris Saint-Germain and not make the expected transfer to Real.
sport">“Players can mark certain periods, as Alfredo di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo have done here for example,” continued Casemiro. “Fans may be disappointed now. Players are very important, but it is the club that wins matches and not the players.”
sport">Mbappe took on Real this season with PSG in the eighth finals of the Champions League and scored in both matches. Casemiro: „He is a great player, who made us work hard in both games. If he has now decided to stay with Paris Saint-Germain, we must respect that. There is no point in talking any longer about a player who does not play for Real Madrid. We wish him the best, except in the matches against Real of course. Hopefully he is happy with where he is now.”
sport">Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also received questions about Mbappe four days before the final of the Champions League between Real and Liverpool. “In the end, everyone decides for themselves what is best for their career and their life, but I think there is nothing more beautiful than playing for Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid are working towards the final without injury concerns
sport">Real Madrid are working without worries about injuries to the final of the Champions League, against Liverpool on Saturday in Paris. Defender David Alaba has resumed group training and coach Ancelotti said often injured forwards Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale are also ready to play.
sport">“Eden is coming back from injury but he is eager and motivated. He is training and can play in the final, just like Bale,” Ancelotti said on Real’s press day. Hazard was sidelined for weeks due to ankle surgery, Bale due to back problems. The 32-year-old Welshman has an expiring contract and will leave Madrid this summer. Bale has already won the Champions League four times with Real and, as a substitute, decided the 2018 final against Liverpool with two goals, the first with a bicycle kick (3-1).
sport">The Spanish champion eliminated Paris Saint-Germain, defending champions Chelsea and Manchester City on the way to the final. Both against PSG and City, Ancelotti’s team fought back from almost beaten position. “Still, the quarter-final against Chelsea was the hardest,” said the Italian. “Then we had to defend a lead in the return. The mental aspect weighed heavily. We had to win the return against Paris Saint-Germain and City, that made it different. We reached the final not because we played so exceptionally well, but because nobody could beat us in terms of dedication, determination and motivation. Do we deserve to win the Champions League? We have to show the same commitment and motivation in the final, only then can we win.”
sport">Ancelotti has already won the Champions League three times as a trainer; in 2003 and 2007 with AC Milan and in 2014 with Real. The Englishman Bob Paisley (with Liverpool) and the Frenchman Zinedine Zidane (with Real) also won the most important European cup tournament as a coach three times. Ancelotti (62) can become the first with four overall victories. “If I stop, I’m going to look at statistics. Now that’s not important to me at all. I don’t look at individual prizes, it’s about the team.” While playing for AC Milan, the Italian also won the European Cup 1 twice.
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