Carlo Ancelotti says Actual Madrid can enhance on final 12 months’s LaLiga and Champions League double
Carlo Ancelotti has mentioned he believes Actual Madrid can enhance on final 12 months’s LaLiga and Champions League double — and need not add one other ahead to the squad — as they put together to face Eintracht Frankfurt within the UEFA Tremendous Cup on Wednesday.
Madrid received LaLiga by 13 factors final season and beat Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool on their solution to lifting a 14th Champions League title.
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The Tremendous Cup conflict with Europa League winners Frankfurt in Helsinki is the primary of six trophies up for grabs for Madrid this 12 months, earlier than they get their 2022-23 LaLiga marketing campaign underway at Almeria on Sunday.
“We have signed two gamers [Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni] who’ve improved the bodily and technical high quality of the workforce,” Ancelotti mentioned in a pre-match information convention on Tuesday.
“We have had one other 12 months of working collectively, enhancing the alchemy between the veterans and kids. That was one of many successes of the workforce final 12 months, and that may enhance, as a result of we’re extra used to being collectively.”
Madrid missed out on signing Kylian Mbappe in Could when he determined to remain at Paris Saint-Germain, and forwards Luka Jovic and Borja Mayoral have each left the membership this summer time, however Ancelotti insisted that the workforce have ample choices in assault to problem on a number of fronts.
“We have now lots of forwards,” he mentioned. “It is a good checklist: Karim [Benzema], Mariano [Diaz], [Eden] Hazard, Rodrygo, Vinicius [Junior], [Marco] Asensio.
“Once you’re lacking the most effective ahead on this planet [Benzema] after all that impacts the workforce. However we have now options. Changing Karim is unattainable.”
Benzema — who will lead the workforce in Helsinki having been named membership captain after the departure of Marcelo — agreed that Madrid have the gamers to enhance on final 12 months.
“Age does not exist,” the 34-year-old mentioned. “It is true that we aren’t younger, however we work arduous on the pitch and off the pitch. We have now a superb squad, let’s hope it is higher than final 12 months.
“I do not know [if I need a substitute]. There is a coach right here and the president too, I am not right here to reply that.”
Frankfurt have been crushed 6-1 at dwelling by Bayern Munich on Friday within the opening sport of the Bundesliga season, however Ancelotti mentioned they’re opponents to be taken significantly.
“We cannot be fooled,” the Italian mentioned. “They performed an amazing Europa League. They deserved to win it, they performed some very sturdy groups. They are a dynamic workforce with depth.”
Frankfurt confirmed earlier on Tuesday that they might be with out ahead Filip Kostic for the Tremendous Cup, because the participant is in talks over a transfer away from the membership.
