"Barça look more motivated and competitive this year"

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti gave an interview to Real Madrid TV to analyse the first two months of the 2014-15 season and acknowledged the squad's desire to win a second consecutive Champions League as well as the Club World Cup. He also had words of praise for the trio formed by Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale: "The quality of the three up front is unique in the world." He also praised Kroos and James and said that Cristiano Ronaldo is a “leader”.

Problems at the start of the season...

We had some difficulties at the beginning because August was difficult, as there were players coming back from the World Cup and they did not have time to prepare. Now we've had time to prepare and the team is in good shape, motivated and up for it.

You said the team looked better than last year..

This year we are clear on the key aspects of our play, though we can't always play at our peak level. The only problem is that we have conceded more goals than normal, but in terms of our play we're better than last year.

European Supercup

We got it spot on. The new players were perfect. It was perfect with just seven days preparation. The problems came later, because the players hadn’t done pre-season and physically they weren't 100%. We paid for playing so much in August.

Improvement

In September we were able to settle more. The new players adapted better. After the win over Athletic we’ve been more balanced. We are continuing to fix the problems from dead balls.

El Clásico

Barcelona look more motivated and competitive in comparison with last year. They’ve changed the coach, they have new players, a renewed Neymar. I think they’re more motivated and competitive than last year but they are always a very strong team.

The attacking potency of this team...

It isn't easy to score so many goals, but these players have incredible quality in terms of scoring goals and attacking well. It's always a collective effort, but the quality of the three up front is unique in the world.

The defence...

I think so. Having three central defenders of the level of Ramos, Pepe and Varane is very good for us, the squad and the team. Our defensive level has improved in recent games because the players are in better physical shape and can work harder in defence, and I think that, after changing two very important players in this respect, they are getting more used to defending and holding a better position.

Cristiano Ronaldo

What doesn't surprise me about Cristiano Ronaldo is the quality he has. It's something I already knew. What does surprise me is the desire he has at this time to fight for the team, to score for the team and his level of professionalism, which is unique in the world of football and above all for a player of this level. It's very good for the team, because Cristiano is not just a goal-scorer but also a vital leader, because of what he does. He doesn't talk a lot, but he works very hard and that's why he's a good example to everyone.

Do you see Cristiano Ronaldo as becoming an out-and-out centre-forward over time?

He thinks that he could also play in this position without any problems, but he is more comfortable starting on the wing, because he is always facing the goal.

James Rodríguez

When we signed James, we did the physical tests and they showed that he is a player with a lot of stamina. He has the physical characteristics of a midfielder. He can play in the middle without problems, but that doesn't take anything away from the quality he has. We need his final pass and his quality of play in attack.

Kroos

He is versatile, and players with tactical intelligence have no difficulty in being in a different position. Defensive midfielder is the most comfortable position, there is more room to play further back. When a player has the quality Kroos has, that Xabi Alonso had or that Illarramendi has, it isn't difficult to get used to it. The player has to work, but the physical exertion isn't as great as a full-back or winger.

You've always backed Benzema...

He has always done what I've asked him to do on the pitch. I've never asked him to score goals because we've always said that the last problem this team has is scoring goals. Karim is the ideal figure for players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Bale. Playing with three midfielders and two wingers, it's very important to have a striker who drops deeper to play with the others and isn't only about scoring. In that respect, Karim is unique. There is no other striker with his characteristics.

Gareth Bale’s second year

I hope that this year he does what he did at the end of last season. He was decisive in a number of games and his work was very important for the team. Now he is more used to the squad, to these players and he has adapted very well to Madrid. We're going to be looking for him to improve, although it isn't easy to improve on what he did last year.

Isco and Illarra

The most difficult thing is giving minutes to players who deserve more. It hurts me, because I would like to pick players like Isco, Illarramendi and Nacho more. They totally understand what Real Madrid is and the competition they're up against, but also the happiness that comes with playing for this team.

Jesé

We're very excited about his return and he is also raring to come back. He is training individually and he will be ready very soon.

La Décima was just four months ago...

For me it doesn't feel like long ago. My memories of La Décima are really fresh and that helps us to be motivated to win La Undécima. That is our aim.

Undécima...

I won two European Cups in a row as a player with Milan. Last year we talked about the obsession with La Décima. It was the major motivation and in the end we won it. Now we're thinking about La Undécima.

The Club World Cup...

The title of world champions is very important. We're going to prepare for it really well. In the past it was played in Japan and it was really tricky to prepare for it because the time difference was huge. Now, playing in Morocco, we can prepare for it better.

La Liga

Valencia can challenge for la Liga, they aren’t in Europe, they’ve a new coach and young squad. Sevilla could also be up there. It’s going to be a competitive league.

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