Ancelotti: “Lunin has had a fantastic season, but the best goalkeeper in the world is back”

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke ahead of the team’s La Liga game against Alavés on many topics, but one particularly heated point of conversation is the ongoing debate around the goalkeeping position as Thibaut Courtois returns to action and competes with Andriy Lunin. On the matter, Ancelotti explained that, “what I said before is exactly the truth, I think what you are thinking. Lunin has helped a lot with a fantastic season and we have to take that into account. As well as the fact that the best goalkeeper in the world is coming back. I can talk to the players and understand a bit better.”

Ancelotti on who will play against Alavés

“We have to take advantage of these matches to have a good dynamic. Tomorrow the players who were rested against Granada will play.”

Ancelotti on who will play in goal

“The goal is to have the whole squad at full strength for the final. Those who are back now, like Courtois and Militão, need more minutes. We will make the decision in the week before the final.”

Ancelotti on the race for the Pichichi

“We are not thinking about this. We think that Bellingham’s goal has already been achieved, helping the team and surprising everyone. The Pichichi is not important for us.”

Ancelotti on Courtois’ fitness

“We are evaluating him. Lunin and Kepa are also going to play. It’s not going to be so simple because there aren’t many games. We are thinking about it.”

Ancelotti on Nacho’s future

“Nacho has the decision in his hands. He can do what he wants.”

Ancelotti on who has surprised him

“It is difficult to say. The one I knew the least was Fran Garcia who did well. Joselu and Brahim also did very well. There are players who could contribute more if I gave them more minutes. Ceballos didn’t get the minutes he deserved for various reasons. Arda Güler could also have played more if it wasn’t for injuries. The squad has surprised me on a general level.”

Ancelotti on players becoming coaches

“There is quality for them to be coaches and then, you can be a coach and you have to be calm to do this job. Which players could be coaches? I think there is quality to being a coach. You can be a coach, but you have to want to be a coach. Given the difficulties that coaches have, many players don’t want to be coaches, because they see a lot of responsibility and pressure. Carvajal, Nacho, Ceballos, Kroos, Modrić.... they could be coaches.”

Ancelotti on Rafa Marín

“It is important to have Real Madrid’s level. Rafa Marín, Blanco, Miguel Gutiérrez? It is very important to be able to come back to the Bernabéu.”

Ancelotti on if he would start Militão in the Champions League final if it were tomorrow

“Not yet. He needs minutes and hopefully he can be at his best for the final.”

Ancelotti on Tchouameni’s race to be fit for the Champions League final

“He doesn’t have many options, but he’s not ruled out for the final. His foot doesn’t hurt too much. He is not ruled out for the final.”

Ancelotti on the exhaustion of a long season

“I’m better than ever. The honeymoon continues. I’m happy and excited. I do the press conferences without pressure, you are too affectionate. I know that sooner or later the stick comes, but now that there is no stick I enjoy it.”

Ancelotti on the risk of his team relaxing after their party

“I don’t think so. After the match against Alavés I will give them 3 days of rest. They need to rest and then we will prepare for the final in the following two weeks.”

Ancelotti on the most difficult moment of the season

“I have no doubt about the most difficult moment. We lost one game, it was there [the defeat against Atlético in the league in September]. Since that game we have been able to understand that we had to change things in defence. That defeat helped us to change in defence, which has been good for us now. It’s been an easy season thanks to the players.”