Ancelotti Announces: "I'll Savor Every Moment Until My Last Day"
3 Min. The iconic Real Madrid coach steps up for his final press conference before hanging up his white hat. "Our goal is to close out the season with a bang. I'll savor every moment until the very last day and then ponder my next move," he said, teasing his upcoming match against Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán.
"Let's face it, Barcelona has been impressive in La Liga this season. They deserve nothing less than the title," he admitted.
When asked about Real Madrid's recent signing of defender Huijsen, Ancelotti praised the newcomer and lamented the string of injuries that plagued his backline last season. "Those injuries took a toll on us," he admitted.
*Real Madrid signs Huijsen: A strategic move before the Club World Cup*Ancelotti remains loyal to the club and maintains that he doesn't believe they've fallen short in signing top-tier talent during his tenure.
The coach insisted that injuries were the culprit behind Real Madrid's inability to win La Liga EA Sports, not a lack of faith or confidence, and emphasized that he would never criticize his players for their efforts over the past four years.
"It wasn't a lack of belief, this team has proven time and time again that we can believe in things when no one else does. The comebacks we've managed throughout this time speak volumes of our determination and refusal to give up," he stated.
Injuries, he noted, have been the Achilles heel for the team, especially in the defensive line. "In our last match against Barcelona, four center-backs who started the season were out injured: Militao, Rüdiger, Alaba... Carvajal and Mendy were also missing. It wasn't a lack of belief or lack of confidence," he reiterated.
"Basically, football is unpredictable," he explained. "With injuries, sometimes you can't extract the best from each player as a team. Barcelona has been exceptional, they deserve our congratulations for their consistent performances and beautiful football in La Liga."
While there could have been more, Ancelotti personally evaluating players isn't feasible. "Valverde, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Courtois… I will never criticize these players that have given me so much joy over the past four years," he said.
He also brushed off concerns about the lack of winter signings, admitting that club decisions were made in consultation with the technical staff. "We've made good decisions, even if this year has been a bit more complicated," he admitted.
Ancelotti acknowledged Kylian Mbappé's ambition to win the Golden Boot, promising that he'll be at the forefront of the race. "That means he's had a stellar season. In his first season at Real Madrid, it's been a fantastic year," he asserted.
Looking ahead, the Italian coach warned of the challenges that await in the upcoming match against Sevilla FC. "We've always found it tough playing at the Sánchez-Pizjuán," he shared.
Elsewhere, Ancelotti shared some insights about his relationship with his assistant, Davide Ancelotti. "Davide is an essential part of my team because we share a unique father-son bond. I trust him as I do our entire technical staff," he said.
"We debate all the time; they're young but experienced: Davide, Francesco, Mino, Simone… We also have a talented group of club analysts that I find invaluable, especially Simone," he concluded.
Lastly, Ancelotti thanked the kind words of fellow coaches like Simeone and Luis Enrique, expressing his gratitude for their appreciation and kindness. "It warms my heart to have such kind words from my colleagues," he expressed.
The coach signaled that Real Madrid's recent signing of defender Huijsen was a strategic move to boost their defensive line, given the string of injuries that hampered their performance in the previous season.
Ancelotti, in light of Barcelona's consistent performances in La Liga, acknowledged their potential to win the title but highlighted that football, with its unpredictability, can sometimes prevent a team from extracting the best from each player.
