Despite the rumors that have circulated in recent days about Ancelotti's end as Real Madrid's coach, the coach appears calm. This is how he explained it on the eve of the Getafe-Real Madrid match in LaLiga.
-It seems that Barcelona is the favorite in the Copa final and Real Madrid is seen as the underdog.
-Not so much, but it is like that. It seems they are better than us, but a final is something unpredictable. Putting Madrid as the underdog in a final seems a bit exaggerated to me.
-Does Fran García convince you as a left-back?
-He has improved. He has played more and has almost always performed well. In some matches, I put Camavinga due to the different characteristics they both have.
Camavinga is more accustomed to playing inside, and sometimes when you play with Vinicius outside, Fran has more problems showing his quality.
-Do you also complain about the schedules, like Hansi Flick?
-I don't complain about this. It's something that can happen, we couldn't play on Saturday with Athletic to play on Tuesday. It's fine because we have enough time to recover and we don't have to travel.
We could also have a better time than 9:30 PM because many people are sleeping at that time. I hope my players don't fall asleep tomorrow.
-Did you imagine in August that you could face so many problems?
-It could have been done better, it could have been done better. I have to take responsibility for some mistakes. But this is an evaluation we can make at the end of the season, and hopefully, this consideration will take a back seat.
"I'm Not Able to Use the Whip"
-Do you participate in the planning for next season?
-Here we never think about signings during the season. The club always thinks about signings at the end of the season.
-If you could start the season over, would you have been tougher on the players?
-In Italy, they say that every time there are problems, they tell you your left hand. It also happened in the first stage. I try to manage the relationship with people for what I am; in a relationship, you have to show what you are.
This season, I've been angry many times. My relationship is to have a relationship with people at the same level, and for that, you have to have respect and be respected. And that has happened.
I am left-handed in life because no one has had a relationship with me with the right hand: my father, coaches, teacher... I'm not able to use the whip, hire another coach, for me, it's not the way.
"The Two Titles at Stake Depend on Beating Barça"
-You seem relaxed after the recent scares
-The club is aware that it has been a more complicated year than the last. Meanwhile, together we manage the difficulties. The honeymoon continues.
I am very happy, very pleased, with a lot of pressure, but it's always like this. You see success very close, and it's normal for stress to increase.
But stress is fuel for me; it doesn't bother me, it gives me more energy to think about more things. Until I get up in the morning, everything is fine.
-Is it easier to win the League if you win the Copa first?
-The two titles we have at stake, we don't consider the World Cup, depend on beating Barcelona. It's the only doubt we don't have at this moment.
We will have to come out well from the next match and focus on the Copa final. We have the confidence that we can do it and we can achieve it. Here we have to change something in this regard, and we will change it.
"Mbappé Is Hurt"
-Endrick is starting to be seen more
-He is progressing very well and has more prominence now because there are also matches where we need his strength and quality.
-How is Mbappé after the boos?
-He is hurt by the injury because he can't help the team. He is doing everything to be ready for Saturday.
-Is it possible for Madrid to win the League and the Copa and for you not to be their coach next year?
-In soccer, everything is possible. Anything can happen.
-Will you be able to count on Mbappé and Mendy?
-They are not ready for tomorrow, but they will train these days, and I believe both will be available for Saturday's match.
The Mortgage of the Fantastic Four
-Don't you feel burdened by the obligation to line up the Fantastic Four?
-The problems of this season are evident: we lost two essential pieces at the back that were difficult to replace. We changed the game for players with different characteristics, and it was hard to find balance.
Hopefully, we find it now. If we don't find it, we will have difficulty winning.
-What kind of match do you expect against Getafe?
-We all know how Getafe plays, intense soccer, very well organized. A strong team with very clear ideas. We are ready because the closer the end of the season gets, the more important the matches are for all teams.