Ancelotti has responded to the lack of youth development in Real. The Italian is in a difficult phase with Real Madrid. The defeat against Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa tournament (1-3) has cut into it, while a cup match awaits on Thursday against Villarreal, the team that turned out to be 2-1 too strong in the competition a week and a half ago. Ancelotti was therefore put to the test at the preview press conference.
“It’s a tough time. The sooner we get out of here, the better. We have the desire and the motivation to get out of this quickly,” Ancelotti said. The coach was asked whether Real Madrid’s selection is too old, and why talents such as Gavi and Pedri do not play at the Santiago Bernabéu. As a youth player of Real Betis, Gavi was followed by Real Madrid, but opted for Barcelona in 2015. Pedri was allowed an internship in Madrid at the age of sixteen, but did not appreciate that he had to train with the second team.
“It’s hard to say,” Ancelotti said
“It’s hard to say,” Ancelotti said when asked why the two are not playing for Real Madrid. “I think Real Madrid pays a lot of attention to the youth academy and we have youth players who have a future at the club. There are times when it doesn’t work out so well, but we have very good players who were born in 2004. They will contribute to the team.”
The A-selection also sees Ancelotti as a ‘young’ team. “Even though everyone is talking about Modric, Kroos and Benzema. There were already young players in the selection and more have been added this year,” said Ancelotti, who, for example, fielded Eduardo Camavinga (20), Vinícius Júnior (22) and Federico Valverde (24) against Barcelona, Rodrygo (22) left came in and could not have access to the injured Aurélien Tchouaméni (22). “I think we are at the beginning of an era. It’s a transition from one beautiful era to another,” he added.
In Spain, there is already talk of a crisis situation at Real Madrid. “We have to stay calm and maintain confidence. We are dealing with competitors with well-run teams,” said Ancelotti. “And we will never give up and we will bounce back. When? I don’t know, hopefully tomorrow already. This team will continue to compete on all fronts.”
“We’ve had some injuries that have had an effect. That was unforeseeable,” the Italian referred to players such as David Alaba, Lucas Vázquez and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who could not be used against Barcelona. He concluded, “It can happen that you are not at the top. We have to get through this month. Tomorrow is an important day, even if Real is doomed by everyone.”
