‘He is recovering from his last injury and I see him more motivated’, declared the coach in a press conference on the eve of the game against Sevilla, at the Santiago Bernabéu
The coach of , , stated this Saturday (21) that the French striker’s adaptation period to the club has already ended, although he can still achieve more. “His adaptation period is over, he is already showing a good version, but he can still improve. He is recovering from his last injury and I see him more motivated. He needed this period, like anyone, but it has already come to an end”, declared Ancelotti in a press conference on the eve of the game against Sevilla, at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Asked about the happiest and saddest moments of the year, the Italian coach confessed that there were many. “It was a fantastic year, one that might not be repeated, I don’t know. Let’s try, because this squad has a very high level. Perhaps the Champions League was the happiest, as always. The saddest thing… I don’t know, because we didn’t lose much this year. The 4-0 for Barcelona, perhaps. I asked Santa Claus that there be no more criticism in 2025”, he stated.
Ancelotti also spoke about the performance of Englishman Jude Bellingham and Brazilians Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, as well as Mbappé. “They haven’t been able to play many games together, because sometimes Rodrygo gets injured, other times Bellingham… but I see them adapting well, overall. Sometimes Mbappé falls to the left and Vinícius to the inside. Or vice versa. I don’t want to give the four of them a fixed position, but rather that they have mobility, freedom. Where does Kylian need to improve? In continuity. He needs to be able to make those plays that only he knows how to make, more often,” he explained.
Vini Jr. went on vacation on Friday and will not face Sevilla due to being suspended. As for this Saturday’s game between Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, Antelotti said that the championship will be “more competitive than in recent years”. “Atlético has all the resources to fight for the title and will do so. It will be competitive, and the champion can leave with less than 90 points”, he stated.
Published by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from AFP
