Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the Valdebabas press room a day before Real Madrid meet SC Braga in the Champions League group stage, the fourth match in the group. A draw would secure Madrid’s place in the knockout phase, and attention soon turned to the team’s physical conditioning and selections for the midweek fixture.
The Italian manager fielded questions on the club’s current situation and also commented on remarks made by Carles Puyol on Monday about Vinicius Junior. Puyol suggested Vinicius should adjust his attitude to earn recognition. Ancelotti acknowledged there are moments when attitude matters, but he emphasized that Vinicius has shown progress and remains a key contributor for Madrid.
On the matter of Jude Bellingham, Ancelotti explained that the midfielder did not complete the full training session the previous day to protect him from potential bumps. The coach noted that Bellingham has recovered well and that a final evaluation would take place the following day.
The press conference continued with Ancelotti addressing several topics aimed at building clarity around the team’s approach against Braga and beyond.
Djalo focused on the team’s overall organization rather than singling out individuals. He pointed to Braga boasting a fast attack and a tall striker, stressing that Braga plays attractive football and can trouble even strong defenses. He cautioned that Madrid must stay vigilant and resist complacency.
Braga’s coach commented on the previous meeting, highlighting that Braga caused Madrid problems with their aggressive pressing and dynamic players. The emphasis was placed on defending well and not giving the opposition easy chances, especially against teams prepared to push hard for a result.
Endrik praised the rising Brazil call-up, noting that the selection reflects a young player delivering strong performances and that such recognition is deserved for consistent excellence on the field.
On the scoring drought for attackers, Ancelotti urged patience. He explained that scoring runs come and go, and those moments can define teams. Rodrygo, in particular, consistently tests the goal line and creates opportunities, underscoring the need for collective patience until the breakthrough comes.
Speaking about Brahim Brahim Diaz, Ancelotti stressed that the midfielder has yet to be handed extended minutes. He described Brahim as a professional who can contribute when called upon and disputed rumors claiming a personal conflict. The coach reiterated that he has a fond view of Brahim, who once played for Milan, and clarified that no judgment against the player exists in his mind.
When asked about favorites in the Champions League, Ancelotti predicted a competitive season with familiar heavyweights like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and other strong European sides contesting the title, alongside top Spanish teams that have shown consistency in recent years.
Regarding the winter transfer window, the manager indicated no major plans. He expected injured players to return in the second half of the season and suggested that any new moves would likely occur in the summer rather than mid-season.
On dealing with criticism, Ancelotti expressed contentment with the support from Madrid supporters and the club environment, noting that personal affection from fans and the Bernabéu crowd helps balance external commentary. He affirmed a calm, confident stance within the club setting.
In terms of goals for the team, Ancelotti described a philosophy where winning remains the primary objective. He argued that securing three points is the standard by which coaches are measured and that playing well should naturally lead to victories, though the outcome depends on what is conceded and scored across matches.
The coach also commented on Vinicius Junior’s development. He supported Vinicius’s capacity to influence games while acknowledging that some moments may require attitude adjustments. Nevertheless, Vinicius has shown substantial improvement, with Madrid pleased by his recent performances and drive to excel.
On Bellingham again, Ancelotti confirmed the player’s solid recovery and stated that a final assessment would be made in consultation with him the following day as Madrid prepared for the Braga test.
Ultimately, Ancelotti underscored that the objective remains simple and clear to win the match. He stressed that triumph is the metric by which results are judged, and that doing well should lead to a victory, aligning the team with its long-standing aspiration to advance from the group phase with strength.
The assessment ahead of Braga emphasized the need for collective discipline and continued competitive intensity as Real Madrid sought to secure advancement from the group stage. The club would approach the fixture with the conviction that demonstrable consistency would translate into the result Madrid needed to push further in Europe, backed by the confidence of a squad accustomed to pressure and scrutiny.