carlo ancelotti revealed at a press conference ahead of the upcoming Champions League match that will unfold this Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu, where real madrid hosts ukraine’s shakhtar donetsk at 21:00. the italian coach emphasised the significance of securing nine points in the group and urged his team to show a fresh attitude and identity to counter a formidable opponent they hold in high regard.
carletto also confirmed injuries, noting that courtois is unavailable and ceballos is dealing with a hamstring issue. on the flip side, he welcomed back modric and lucas vasquez, signaling a return to familiar strengths in the squad. when questioned by belgians about hazard, the coach explained that eden has a clear understanding of his own situation and that there is healthy competition among players, with any requests for clarification handled directly and fairly.
⚡ lukamodric10 david_alaba ucl pic.twitter.com/b9KdU5fDt4
– real madrid cf (@realmadrid) october 4, 2022
h2
you reply to xavi
recently, messi and xavi agreed that the last champions league did not crown the absolute best, and they questioned real madrid’s claim to supremacy. when asked to comment, the white team’s coach inquired about the starting point for any critique and noted that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. he stated that being the best requires excellence across more than one facet and that champions are earned by the combination of skill and consistency rather than a single standout moment.
he also compared the league with the champions league, pointing out that while the domestic season is crucial, the european competition remains the premier prize in football. he highlighted how two contrasting scenarios could unfold in big knockout matches: a team can penetrate defenses with three goals in six minutes during a final, while another night could feature two goals in a single minute during a semi-final. such moments illustrate the unpredictable nature of continental glory. the coach underscored that the club’s legacy is deeply tied to the champions league and that past achievements still inform present and future ambitions.
finally, the conversation touched on benzema’s penalty miss and the ensuing scrutiny. he reminded that when a star player does not hit the expected level, opinions grow louder, but neither the player nor the team is defined by a single incident.