Carlo Ancelotti appeared before the press at the Cardiff City Stadium where the Real Madrid coach held forth on Ángel di María, Diego López, Sami Khedira and whether or not Gareth Bale will win the Ballon d’Or.
- Is the team as ready as you would like?
“We are fine. Those that arrived on August 5 haven’t had as much time but the training has been good these past few days. We have been working as hard as we can for this match.”
- How is Cristiano? Will James and Kroos play?
“Cristiano has been training at full intensity without any problems. He has done everything he needed to to be ready for the game. The problems he had last year are gone. I think he will start [the season] well. Kroos and James will play.”
- What about Di Maria? Is he going to leave?
“That is a problem that does not need to be discussed around this match. He has trained to be ready for the game and he has done so in a good way. This matter hasn’t been discussed in the dressing room; when a player arrives at Valdebebas he is with the team. We have to wait until August 31.”
- Do you feel that you need to win the league to keep your job?
“Let’s not get off on the wrong foot. The first press conference and you’re already talking about losing my job... [laughs]. It is true that Madrid always has to win and the club has worked hard to improve the squad. I can only say that we want to repeat the achievements of last season.”
- It has been suggested Khedira and Di María may go to Bayern. Is that true?
“Sami is a Madrid player and he has a contract until June 30 2015. There is nothing else to add. For now they are Madrid players, both Ángel and Sami.”
- Will you rotate your goalkeepers again this season?
“I still don’t know, or maybe I do know but I don’t want to tell you... [laughs]. Iker will play tomorrow; he is in good shape and deserves to play. He did well in the Champions League last year.”
- Do you expect Bale to be even better than last year?
“He now knows Madrid well, the club, the city… I think he will surpass last year. He is in very good condition physically and mentally. I don’t know if he will play tomorrow. Everybody is talking about him playing in his home town, but he might start on the bench...”
- People talk of the “Gareth Effect.” Do you see him being nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and possibly winning it?
“He is one of the best in the world, there is no doubt about that. Last season he was spectacular, the way he ended the season was very good. But look, there is a lot of competition just in this team... if you say that Gareth deserves to win it you could also Ramos and Cristiano deserve it this year...”
- Where will James play?
“He can play in every position in attack. He can play where he plays for Colombia, in the hole, or a little further back, as an attacking midfielder. I’m going to try him there now and again.”
- Do you have any words for Diego López?
“He took a good offer to leave. I gave him our thanks for how he helped us to win titles and I wished him luck. I have a lot of affection for Milan and I know he will be happy there.”
- Last year you looked for balance and found it. Will Kroos reinforce this or will you give him more work?
“As an individual he will help us a lot with his positional sense. We need to maintain the balance we found last year. If we manage to keep it this could be another great year.”
- What differences are there between Sevilla now and when they beat you last season?
“They have the same identity as last year. They are not going to change. They have new players in midfield but the attitude will remain the same.”
- Casillas said he has not been at his best. Mentally, does he need a good game, and even more so in a final?
“Iker is a great goalkeeper and he had a great season last year. He will do fantastically well. Everybody makes mistakes in games. I can make mistakes with my line-ups. Making mistakes is a normal part of life. You have to learn from them. We have total confidence in Iker.”
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