Spain Before the match against Getafe in round 4 of La Liga, coach Carlo Ancelotti looked confused and frowned when he continued to be asked about the possibility of recruiting striker Kylian Mbappe.
After the summer break, Ancelotti was always asked about the possibility of signing Mbappe - the striker who had conflicts and was expelled from the PSG first team - in every press conference.
At the press conference on September 1, the Italian coach was asked about the possibility of him cutting his salary to help the club recruit Mbappe. Ancelotti looked puzzled, frowned and said: "I don't understand this question and what does it mean to reduce Mbappe's salary. Mbappe is not a Real player and I don't like to talk about players from other clubs, out of respect."
Ancelotti at a press conference at the Bernabeu on September 1, before the match against Getafe today, September 2. Photo: realmadrid.com
Earlier this summer, Mbappe announced that he would not activate the extension clause until June 2025, and was then expelled from the first team by PSG, not allowed to participate in the Asian tour, and put on the transfer market. However, Mbappe only wanted to go to Real - a club that did not want to spend more than 100 million USD to buy a player with only one year left on his contract. Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal was willing to pay a transfer fee of 300 million USD, but Mbappe did not accept.
The dispute between the two sides was resolved after Mbappe promised to extend his contract and not leave as a free agent. The 2018 World Cup winner then returned to action in the second round of Ligue 1, scoring three goals against Toulouse and Lens.
Ancelotti confirmed that Real will not sign another striker, despite Vinicius injuring his thigh muscle in the 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in the third round of La Liga on August 25 and risking being sidelined for six weeks. The Italian coach is satisfied with the transfer business and assesses Real's squad as having a combination of youth and experience. "We have some injury problems, but the squad is very good and can replace those injured players without much problem. Real have enough resources to compete in all arenas," he emphasized.
The 64-year-old coach confirmed that he will not change the diamond formation that has worked well in the first three La Liga matches just because of Vinicius' injury. "We will replace Vinicius with a player with different characteristics and try to adjust the attacking style," Ancelotti analyzed. "If Joselu plays, Real will cross more. And Brahim Diaz will help Real have more players to connect the lines. Next to him is still Rodrygo, a very complete and versatile striker."
In the win over Celta Vigo, Ancelotti was furious when Luka Modric - who was tasked with taking the penalty - failed to convert it, and then Rodrygo missed. When asked about the order of Real's penalty takers, the Italian coach revealed that Joselu would be given priority if he was on the pitch, followed by Modric and Vinicius.
According to the Champions League group stage draw on August 31, Real is in Group C with Napoli (Italy), Braga (Portugal) and Union Berlin (Germany). Ancelotti emphasized that he respects all opponents, when assessing that Napoli played very well to win Serie A last season, Union Berlin played well, defended solidly, and Braga pursued a beautiful attacking style.
Hong Duy
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