Carlo Ancelotti gave a press conference this afternoon in Naples in which he recalled with pleasure his past as coach of the Partenopean team. The coach wants a game like Saturday's in Girona and considers the issue of Nacho and his kick at Portu settled: "Nacho has asked for an apology and they have accepted it. He doesn't have to do more. As I said, it was a lack of lucidity. The issue ends there," he said.
After the victory in the debut of the Champions League at the Bernabéu against Union Berlin (1-0), a victory at the Maradona stadium would put qualification on track for the whites, but Ancelotti knows very well of the difficulties that await him against a of the hottest fans in Europe: "We are playing against one of the best teams in Italy. It is going to be a competitive and even match. They have a lot of level and individuality, with an atmosphere that is going to push them. We must repeat the good thing we did in Girona," he commented.
Modric's substitution is a topic that is talked about a lot in Madrid fans: "It is quite surprising that Modric does not have the same role as in the past, but he played the first Champions League match and the derby. He has not played simply because the competition "It's very high and it could happen that someone is left on the bench. We don't have any problems. I have great respect for him as a player and as a person. Sometimes I have to make decisions that are very difficult for me."
Bellingham's good form is one of Madrid's main assets: "He has adapted very well and is showing all the qualities he has. For me, we have the best team in the world, and I include everyone. The fact that Bellingham plays with us it makes us happy".
Asked if Camavinga would continue at left back, like in Montilivi, Ancelotti did not weigh in: "You have many more doubts than I do. For me, everything is quite clear. Mendy is recovered. He was a little tired, but he is ready to play. "Then we have to decide the eleven. For us in every game the important thing is to always defend well because if the goal is kept clean there is a greater chance of winning than losing."
Before Ancelotti, Fede Valverde spoke, appreciating his good moment: "I'm feeling better than ever. Playing every game shows that individually I'm doing things well. You try to adapt and keep learning. With a coach like that you have to listen to him. I think that I'm doing things well. Sometimes it's hard, because there are games where you tend to attack much more and there are teams that know how to attack you. This is football and you have to keep learning."
The Uruguayan feels comfortable in the new diamond pattern: "From the first day I arrived it was an incredible midfield for me. When I arrived there were also Casemiro and Isco with Toni and Luka. The best midfield in the world. I have tried learn from each one. On a day-to-day basis you try to listen to them, look at them... I had the opportunity to experience it with Casemiro, who has fed me with many values that made me mature a lot. It is difficult to play here. There are the best players in the world. "I have to enjoy it and value and show the young people the same thing that they showed me when I arrived at Madrid."
The final stretch of last season was not good for Valverde (including aggression against Alex Baena): "Personally, I am not going to remember it because they are hard moments that I have experienced with my wife, but they are things of life, what are you doing?" creating obstacles. You have to be as positive as possible. I tried to focus on football and win as much as possible. The World Cup didn't go the way I wanted but in Madrid I won the Copa del Rey. That was a very nice end to the year. And then at the end Finally, the family news (a new pregnancy for his wife) also made me mature a lot as a person.
