The Real Madrid coach spoke about what he expected from the French striker as he looked back on the past 12 months.
There were many talking points during Carlo Ancelotti's final press conference of 2024 and what he expects to see in 2025: a title race that will be decided by less than 90 points… and a more motivated Mbappé.
It has been an exhausting year for the coach, who by early evening tomorrow will have given 114 press conferences and had more than 1,150 questions in the past twelve months. “Is the football players' schedule more tiring, or the coach's?” we ask. He smiles and then answers: “The football players, of course! I enjoy the press conferences. 10% of the questions can be a bit ugly, but overall we have a good time.”
Real Madrid end the year at home against Sevilla, who have slipped to the bottom half of the table after winning just four of their last 10 league games. Ancelotti's side remain third in the battle with 37 points – just one point behind Barcelona and Atletico, who meet later tonight.
How exciting is this match?
After many away games, we return to the Bernabéu… and we want to end 2024 on a good note. By winning. Sevilla are doing well in all their matches. It will be a tough race, but the goal will be to end the year with a win.
Mbappé seems to be looking much happier…
His adjustment period is over. He is already showing how good he is, although he can still improve. He has recovered from his last injury and to me he seems more motivated now, he is more excited. He needed this time, like everyone else, but that has now come to an end.
It's Barça-Atlético tonight… What do you expect?
This year's competition will be more competitive than in recent years. Atlético has all the resources to fight for the title and I am sure they will do so. It will be entertaining. And with less than 90 points you can become a champion.
What was your happiest moment of 2024? And the saddest thing?
The happiest… there are many. It was a fantastic year, maybe unrepeatable, I don't know. We will try, because this team has a very high level. Maybe the Champions League has been the happiest, it always has been. The saddest thing… I don't know, because we didn't lose much this year. Perhaps the 0-4 defeat against Barcelona. I have asked Sinterklaas for no more criticism in 2025. But it is normal, you cannot avoid it.
The other day you called this game “unfortunate”… Why?
Because we could have gone on holiday after the Intercontinental Cup, that's all. And because it will be a tough match. It's risky. It's a last ditch effort.
In 2024, including tomorrow, you will have played 57 matches, which equates to 114 press conferences and approximately 1,150 questions. What is more tiring: the players' schedule or the coach's?
(Laughs) Of course the one about football players! (Laughs) I like press conferences, that's the truth. About 10% of the questions can be a bit annoying, but overall we have a pretty good time. Imagine: 1000 questions per year… (smiles). I think so, we had a good time.
Have you identified the 'unnecessary losses'? Because that's one of the things you seem to worry about the most…
“Unnecessary losses” are something we need to talk about because they are, as the word goes, “unnecessary.” We talk about it because there is room for improvement. Sometimes we take risks that are not necessary.
How is Mendy doing?
He has recovered and is available for tomorrow. Alaba is also training again. I think he will return to the group on the 30th and maybe be available in mid-January.
What is your opinion on how the full-backs performed?
Both did very well, Lucas and Fran García. They have played many matches and contributed to the team. I don't think I'll put Valverde there… unless it's an emergency. And we try Asencio, who can do it due to his characteristics, although obviously from a more defensive than offensive profile.
Over the past 17 years, the two Brazilians voted best in the world, Kaká and Vinicius, have been trained by you… What have you brought to them?
I just gave them confidence. And you only have to give that to players with that talent, because they have the talent to become the best in the world.
What grade would you give this year? And what would you like to achieve in 2025 that you have not yet achieved this year?
A great achievement, considering the many difficulties we have had. Despite everything, we won five titles. Next year the goal will be the same: compete, fight and win the Champions League. Again.
How would you rate the performances of Bellingham, Mbappé, Viniciuus and Rodrygo? Do you think they understand each other…
They haven't been able to play many games together because sometimes Rodrygo is injured, other times Bellingham… but I see them adapting well overall. At times Mbappe has dropped to the left and Vinicius has dropped inside. Or the other way around. I do not want to give the four a fixed position, but rather that they have mobility and freedom. Where does Kylian need to improve? In continuity. That he can more often make the plays that only he can make.
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