Carlo Ancelotti on Onda Cero's Al Primer Toque
This is like the second time I'm posting about an interview with Carlo... Am I a fangirl? I dunno. I could be. I just really admire this guy I guess?? But anyway, while 14 of his players have been shipped off to international duty, Carlo was at Onda Cero's Al Primer Toque radio show for an interview.
The Bernabéu dressing room: "There's a very high level of professionalism. Putting on the Real Madrid shirt itself is conducive to that; it makes you take responsibility. This is the most dedicated squad I've ever worked with. I've never had to clash with a player to motivate them here".
Being a coach: "To be a coach, you have to be always studying because football is constantly changing. You can not think that after being a football player, you can already be a good coach."
Italian memories: "One of the players I had preferred in the past was Maldini. He didn't come a minute late for training in his entire career. One of my bad nights? In Juve, I spent an entire sleepless night wondering putting Inzaghi or Kovacevic."
The bosses he's worked under: "I had some amazing experiences under the likes of Agnelli, Berlusconi and Abramovich. Florentino and Berlusconi are lifelong fans of their clubs, which makes them different to owners like Abramovich. Berlusconi always called me to ask why I didn't play this player or other, Florentino doesn't do that."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "He's only had issues at Barcelona. There weren't any at Juventus, Ajax or Milan. I didn't have any problems with him - far from it: I liked him, first and foremost as a person. He's a born winner. He enjoys winning like Cristiano, Ramos, and Pepe."
Toni Kroos: "He's another 'professor' [Ancelotti's nickname for Xabi Alonso]. He has aced his crash course at the University of Xabi Alonso. I've been surprised by the fact that he never gets on edge. He always plays the same way, whatever the pressure. He's very important: a lot of our play goes through him. What's more, he's still very young. He plays at pace, always picks the right pass, doesn't lose the ball and wins back possession. You can always improve, but it's hard, seeing the level that Toni Kroos is playing now."
Ángel di María: "People should think twice before saying that James can fill Di María's boots, because they're very different players. Di María could take matches by storm with his energy, but he also used to lose control sometimes, misplacing important passes".
Xabi Alonso: "I haven't seen Xabi Alonso at Bayern yet, but I will see him. I wasn't nervous when Alonso and Di Maria left. I already got Toni Kroos. Xabi calls me and sends me messages, I still have a very good relationship with him. He was looking for another chance in another country."
Coaching: "I've never told a player that he won't play because someone else is better. Never. I won't punish a player if he used his phone on bench. Hierro helps me, we get along together. He has a charisma and personality like Zidane and he's highly respected in the locker room. Practically, we do not do tactical work. There is no time. It's all via video. Every time I check a game, it takes me three hours."
Vicente Del Bosque: "I ate with Del Bosque and Hierro. I met Vincent in La Manga. I asked Fernando to meet him. I liked him as a person. We talk about Morata and some players, nothing more. Spain has many players, it is not easy here."
Making changes: "Isco and James are at the same level, last year Isco wasn't a starter but he played two finals. I don't know why I do late changes, Usually I don't change if we control the game. I make sure to let Isco know that he is a very important player. I say it every day. He says 'I know, mister.' If Kroos is injured, we have Illarramendi, and we have Isco too, who can play in the same poistion with Luka and Khedira. "
'La Décima': "I think I'd still be here even if I hadn't won the Champions League. There is no talks about La Undecima like what happened with La Decima. La Decima was an obligation for us. A motivation."
Goalie drama: "The debate of the goalie doesn't exist in dressing room. It's the biggest debate I had to talk about in media in my career. Occasionally Keylor Navas will play as he also deserves this, and Iker totally agrees with that. Diego Lopez was focused on his work, not listening to what may affect his performance and he consulted me about Milan's offer.
Best coaches: "My 2013 best coaches? Diego Simeone, Joachim Low and Unai Emery."
Zinedine Zidane: "Zidane is doing a course in France for three years. If he can train in other countries, why can't he do it in Spain? I agree with Paco Jemez that no one can train without a training degree, but Zidane already has one."
The future: "There are indications that Khedira is going to go, but he shows he likes Madrid and but nothing is sure yet. We aren't signing anyone in January. Jese is our new 'signing' and he will play vs Cornella, in one month. Every time I pass by the Cibeles I say, we must come again."
Madrid media: "I like Madrid, the atmosphere, the club, and the players.... Media? (laughs) For media here or press, it's all black or all white, Sometimes it does not help. I do not know if Madrid press really helps Real Madrid. In October last year, it wasn't helping. When the Bernabeu helps the team, it's okay for the press, but when they whistle, no one forgets it!"
Source: 1 | 2
Other tidbits:
The Bernabéu dressing room: "There's a very high level of professionalism. Putting on the Real Madrid shirt itself is conducive to that; it makes you take responsibility. This is the most dedicated squad I've ever worked with. I've never had to clash with a player to motivate them here".
Being a coach: "To be a coach, you have to be always studying because football is constantly changing. You can not think that after being a football player, you can already be a good coach."
Italian memories: "One of the players I had preferred in the past was Maldini. He didn't come a minute late for training in his entire career. One of my bad nights? In Juve, I spent an entire sleepless night wondering putting Inzaghi or Kovacevic."
The bosses he's worked under: "I had some amazing experiences under the likes of Agnelli, Berlusconi and Abramovich. Florentino and Berlusconi are lifelong fans of their clubs, which makes them different to owners like Abramovich. Berlusconi always called me to ask why I didn't play this player or other, Florentino doesn't do that."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "He's only had issues at Barcelona. There weren't any at Juventus, Ajax or Milan. I didn't have any problems with him - far from it: I liked him, first and foremost as a person. He's a born winner. He enjoys winning like Cristiano, Ramos, and Pepe."
Toni Kroos: "He's another 'professor' [Ancelotti's nickname for Xabi Alonso]. He has aced his crash course at the University of Xabi Alonso. I've been surprised by the fact that he never gets on edge. He always plays the same way, whatever the pressure. He's very important: a lot of our play goes through him. What's more, he's still very young. He plays at pace, always picks the right pass, doesn't lose the ball and wins back possession. You can always improve, but it's hard, seeing the level that Toni Kroos is playing now."
Ángel di María: "People should think twice before saying that James can fill Di María's boots, because they're very different players. Di María could take matches by storm with his energy, but he also used to lose control sometimes, misplacing important passes".
Xabi Alonso: "I haven't seen Xabi Alonso at Bayern yet, but I will see him. I wasn't nervous when Alonso and Di Maria left. I already got Toni Kroos. Xabi calls me and sends me messages, I still have a very good relationship with him. He was looking for another chance in another country."
Coaching: "I've never told a player that he won't play because someone else is better. Never. I won't punish a player if he used his phone on bench. Hierro helps me, we get along together. He has a charisma and personality like Zidane and he's highly respected in the locker room. Practically, we do not do tactical work. There is no time. It's all via video. Every time I check a game, it takes me three hours."
Vicente Del Bosque: "I ate with Del Bosque and Hierro. I met Vincent in La Manga. I asked Fernando to meet him. I liked him as a person. We talk about Morata and some players, nothing more. Spain has many players, it is not easy here."
Making changes: "Isco and James are at the same level, last year Isco wasn't a starter but he played two finals. I don't know why I do late changes, Usually I don't change if we control the game. I make sure to let Isco know that he is a very important player. I say it every day. He says 'I know, mister.' If Kroos is injured, we have Illarramendi, and we have Isco too, who can play in the same poistion with Luka and Khedira. "
'La Décima': "I think I'd still be here even if I hadn't won the Champions League. There is no talks about La Undecima like what happened with La Decima. La Decima was an obligation for us. A motivation."
Goalie drama: "The debate of the goalie doesn't exist in dressing room. It's the biggest debate I had to talk about in media in my career. Occasionally Keylor Navas will play as he also deserves this, and Iker totally agrees with that. Diego Lopez was focused on his work, not listening to what may affect his performance and he consulted me about Milan's offer.
Best coaches: "My 2013 best coaches? Diego Simeone, Joachim Low and Unai Emery."
Zinedine Zidane: "Zidane is doing a course in France for three years. If he can train in other countries, why can't he do it in Spain? I agree with Paco Jemez that no one can train without a training degree, but Zidane already has one."
The future: "There are indications that Khedira is going to go, but he shows he likes Madrid and but nothing is sure yet. We aren't signing anyone in January. Jese is our new 'signing' and he will play vs Cornella, in one month. Every time I pass by the Cibeles I say, we must come again."
Madrid media: "I like Madrid, the atmosphere, the club, and the players.... Media? (laughs) For media here or press, it's all black or all white, Sometimes it does not help. I do not know if Madrid press really helps Real Madrid. In October last year, it wasn't helping. When the Bernabeu helps the team, it's okay for the press, but when they whistle, no one forgets it!"
Source: 1 | 2
Other tidbits:
- After scoring his 50th goal for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano, the club has released a video highlighting Sergio's 10 Best Goals. You'll never guess what the #1 goal is! ;) (x)
- Sergio Ramos has scored more goals than any other defender in La Liga since the start of the last season. ( x)
- Messi and Koke may lead the table for most assists in La Liga, but the presence of Toni, Karim, Cristiano, and James (among others) shows the versatility of Real Madrid in playmaking. (x)
- Penaldo Watch: 18-5=13. Still the best top scorer in La Liga, even without penalties.
- Real Madrid have scored 42 goals in La Liga this season, 14 more than Premier League leaders Chelsea. ( x)
- Toni Kroos has made 6 assists in La Liga this season, two more than he had in the last Bundesliga for Bayern. ( x)
