Ancelotti: "If Benzema doesn't play he'll understand"

Carlo Ancelotti revealed there would be changes to his line-up for tomorrow’s game against Elche, but that Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be rested. “He doesn’t need to. He’s fine physically and mentally. He’s in a great state”.

Illarramendi coming on (against Depor on Saturday)

An option is to make the team more solid in the centre and Illarramendi gave us that. The match was good, but we cahnged a bit to give the defence more cover and avoid any problems.

Subsititutes

It’s not easy, but Illlarra and Isco are professionals, they respect the coach and they’re ready to play 20 or 30 minutes.

Sharing the effort

Sergio can get over the problem with his foot. Pepe still has a hamstring niggle. We’ll see tomorrow. I’m going to change some things.

Isco

He did really well in his first year, playing a major part in a lot of games, in the final of the Copa, in Lisbon. Nothing’s changed in terms of his confidence. He’s young and he’s the future. He can’t always play because there’s a lot of competition. He’s an important player even if he doesn’t start.

Florentino supporting Casillas

I think Iker is fine. It’s clear that, as the president said, unity is important. A club is the club itself, the players and the fans. Those are the three basic components and when they’re united it’s easier to achieve your goals. Last year at the end that was vital for us. All three parts together and that’s why we won.

Strikers and Cristiano’s position. He appears to be playing on the right, up front. Is that circumstantial or the plan?

It’s circumstantial because Critiano has the liberty to go where his intinct feels is right on the pitch. Changing positions between the front line is good, it makes the attack less predictable.

How do you see the league? Head to head between you and Barça?

I think it will still be a competive league, there are teams you can only judge over time. Sevilla have started brightly, Valencia have a very competitive team. There will be more teams at the head of the league than last year.

Will Chicharito play instead of Benzema?

Something, I’ll change something.

If Chicharito starts, will Benzema be annoyed?

I think the whole squad understands that there are a lot of games and the rotataion is normal. I did it with Arbeloa on Wednesday and it has to be understood as rotation not punishment. If Karim doesn’t play he’ll know why. Benzema was good [on Saturday] but I wanted to put someone out there to give us stability and leave the two fastest players for the breaks. If he doesn’t play Benzema will take it as rotation.

Chicharito

He’s played in nearly all the games. It was important for him to score. It’s clear he’s got more confidence. Chicharito is fine, he feels at home in the squad and the club are happy with him.

Do Madrid play better now than when you arrived?

I think we’ve got the same problem as last year, though our attacking play is better. We need to improve the defence.

Is James just the president’s signing?

I don’t mind that sort of comment because last year people said it about Bale. I take my own decision. I judge what they do on the pitch, in training and their physical and mental condition. The footballers hange every year, but the idea that Madrid’s coach has is the same: to put out the best side so Madrid wins. I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing for many a year.

Benzema, one goal out of the last 13

I don’t look to see if a striker has scored or not. I see if the team can do what they need to up front. I don’t care who scores. Benzema did the work and was good. I don’t care if he doesn’t score.

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