Ancelotti: “Nothing has happened with Hazard and Bale, there is simply competition”

The names of Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard took center stage at Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference prior to the cup duel with Elche. Neither the Welshman nor the Belgian have had the role that their quality presupposes, but Ancelotti only attributes their ostracism to the physical problems they have gone through and the depth of the squad at their disposal. “There is nothing strange that has happened between us. There is simply competition and the coach, in each game, chooses the best to win. Nothing in particular has happened, just what happens in all the big clubs, that there is a lot of competition. You talk about Hazard or Bale, but I can talk to you about Nacho, Marcelo, Ceballos, Isco, Jovic, who are players with a lot of quality to whom the same thing happens to Bale and Hazard, “he asserted.

“The two have had many setbacks, due to injuries, due to problems. Bale is back after a long time. Hazard has been fine for a month and a half, from the point of view, Ancelotti reviewed, who avoided commenting on the Belgian’s situation, when some sources point out that he could meditate an exit from Real Madrid. “He is still a Real Madrid player, he is training, he is focused on the competitions we have and we don’t have to think about anything else,” Ancelotti said. “I don’t want to give Hazard advice because he has the character and the experience to choose the best for him,” added the Italian, who expressed his hope that both Bale and Hazard will gain more prominence in the remainder of the course. «The quality that both have could help us more. It’s only been the first part of the season, they haven’t had a chance to help the team much because of injuries. Hopefully the second part will be better.”

Ancelotti broke a spear through the locker room when he was asked if he would be more comfortable in the event that one of the players who is not entering his plans left in the winter market. “The management of this squad is not complicated because the players are very serious, professional and the atmosphere is very good. I have not had a problem with anyone and I will not have it because the professionalism they have is very high, “he defended.

“It’s another final”

Ancelotti valued Elche, his rival this Wednesday at the Martínez Valero and the one he will face again on Sunday in the League, although at the Santiago Bernabéu. “It’s another final, an elimination round in a competition that gives us great hope. We are ready and we need it because Elche have a good dynamic, they have won seven of the last ten games. We have to prepare it well”, said Ancelotti, who anticipated that Courtois will not be able to be in the game. «He is indisposed, it is not a serious setback. It is an indisposition for a few days. For privacy reasons, I cannot say what is happening, but I think it will be for Sunday,” he said about the goalkeeper.

How could it be otherwise, Ancelotti opened his speech remembering Gento, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88. He stressed that he was “an unrepeatable figure who will remain forever in our hearts.” Of the Galerna del Cantábrico, he highlighted his “humility” and that he was “a very simple person.”

He ruled out that Vinicius needs rest, despite the high mileage accumulated by the Brazilian winger. «I think that Vinicius has to stop when we see him tired, when he cannot show his qualities on the field or when he is injured. Give him rest because it may happen that in two months he may be tired, no. When he is tired he will not play. Now I don’t see him tired. You can play,” he cut off.

And he stressed that a team of guarantees will be able to face Elche. “We think about tomorrow’s game. It’s a tie, we want to continue and I’m going to put in the best possible, considering the tiredness of some players. I’m not going to think about Sunday’s game because it’s the same team but a different competition. The goal tomorrow is to win the tie, “he closed.