Ancelotti talks Vinicius, Alaba, Olmo, Barcelona, January plans ahead of Valencia vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid will look to kickstart 2025 on a winning note as they get set to take on Valencia in their rescheduled La Liga fixture on Friday night.

The Merengues are currently second in the league table, ahead of Barcelona but behind neighbours Atletico Madrid by one point.

Tomorrow’s match gives Carlo Ancelotti & co. an opportunity to go past the Rojiblancos, who will still have a game in hand.

On the upcoming challenges and the January window

Ahead of their trip to Mestalla, Ancelotti attended the pre-match press conference discussing what fans can expect from Real Madrid in the new year.

“Happy New Year to everyone. Tomorrow we start a new challenge, with great enthusiasm. It will be a demanding match, it has always been difficult for us so we want to start the year well,” said the 65-year-old.

“We can improve our position in the table, the team is doing well. The rest days have been good.”

Further discussing what lies ahead for the team, he added: “Now there are games to win as always, there’s nothing new compared to 2024. The team has reacted well and is more excited. Alaba has started training with us.”

There has been a lot of chatter about Real Madrid making a January move for Trent Alexander-Arnold instead of waiting to sign him for free in the summer. When asked about the club’s plans for the winter window, the manager did not give much away, saying:

“Talking about this in this context is more complicated, we’ll see. We have a lot of games in January and we are focused on this. It’s not easy for me to talk about the market now.”

On being probed once again about the market, Ancelotti stated: “No, I don’t want to talk about it because I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about it here. We’ll see what’s going to happen, but I’m delighted with the squad we have.”

On Valencia

Real Madrid have been given a hostile reception on their recent visits to Mestalla by the Valencia, but Ancelotti is only focused on matters on the pitch.

“We are thinking about what we are going to find on the pitch, with an opponent that has changed coach,” said the Italian.

“Normally when this happens there is an extra motivation in all the players. Baraja has done an exceptional job, but this is what happens in football. I don’t know what the atmosphere outside will be like.”

Talking about Valencia’s new manager, Carlos Corberan, who recently took over from Ruben Baraja, the Real Madrid boss said:

“We looked at how he worked the strategy at West Brom. Valencia because of how they played with Baraja was a team that would come close. We’ve looked at both.”

On the team

Providing an update on the condition of star man Vinicius Jr., who missed the last game due to suspension, Ancelotti said:

“He’s very well, he’s come back well. He’s made the most of his days off… and he’s prepared for the game as always.”

Alaba will return soon, confirms Ancelotti. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

On whether he will be able to rest and rotate players in the new year, Ancelotti remarked: “Maybe. We are thinking about doing something. Now we have a more complete squad, more rotations.

“When Alaba comes back we will have the opportunity to rotate a bit more at the back, which is the position where we have suffered a bit more. Next week he will start playing matches. It’s very close. From the 20th….”

On being asked about him having suffered two defeats in the first game after the Christmas break during his time at Real Madrid, the manager replied:

“Thank you for telling me… I had forgotten about this. Tomorrow I’m going to tell them this, that twice it didn’t work out when we came back from holiday. It can be a motivation.”

On Olmo, Barcelona, and the title race

Barcelona star Dani Olmo’s de-registration has been the talk of the town in La Liga in recent days, with the Catalans being unable to sort out their Fair Play issues.

On being asked about the entire situation of the Spanish playmaker, Ancelotti commented: “I do not know the matter in detail. What I can say is to respect all clubs, institutions and rules. But I can’t answer.”

Discussing the Blaugrana’s sudden slump in form during the last weeks of 2024, the Real Madrid boss said:

“Nobody expected it, but I think the level of competitiveness in La Liga lowers the points you need to win the competition. It creates more uncertainty and I think it will take 90 points to win the championship.”

On who he believes is a bigger threat in the La Liga title race between Barça and Atletico Madrid, Ancelotti replied:

“The same. As it happened to us in November, it happened to Barcelona in December. You have a slump and then you get competitive like before. Barcelona and Atletico have the same chances of competing with us in La Liga.”

Source: MARCA