It wasn’t a typical week for Carlo Ancelotti, who had a whole week to work with his players for the first time in months. It felt strange for the coach, though he appreciated it. To complete the week’s oddness, even the usual press conference time changed to early afternoon. Real Madrid plays against Real Betis on Saturday afternoon.The green-and-white team commands much respect and admiration from Real Madrid’s coach. Ancelotti never hesitates to point out former Real Madrid and Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as one of the best La Liga coaches, and tomorrow, he’ll face one of the players he had a strong connection with during his first term: Isco Alarcon. Francisco, as Carletto calls him, will always be special for the Italian coach, as it was his goal that secured Ancelotti’s first victory as Real Madrid’s coach against Betis, curiously enough.”I’ve seen him play, and he’s doing very well. I’m very happy. He’s a player who contributes to football. Tomorrow, he’s one of the players we have to control well.” 🎙 Carlo Ancelotti: “If I would go to Saudi Arabia for €500 million? I wouldn’t even have to book the flight. I would walk with my feet to go there. No, I’m joking. I don’t want money.” 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/wiofDi1WEV— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 8, 2023 He made it clear last week. He won’t talk about his future anymore, especially not about the Brazilian national team. Nevertheless, he’s never hidden his desire to stay at Madrid, and if the season goes well, the feeling is that he’ll continue leading the team. Not even Saudi Arabia can take him from Madrid, although he joked about it.”What do I do if they offer me 500 million? What team? I’ll walk there. I don’t even need to fly there! It’s a joke, but it’s true the world is changing. And it will change. No, I haven’t been called by Arabia, and I live in the present. I have another idea that is not about Arabia. I’ve never looked at money because I grew up in a family where money wasn’t important. And I have money. For me, what matters is feeling good.” It may not last long, but Ancelotti has reopened the debate on the goalkeeper position. He tried to close it two weeks ago by announcing Kepa Arrizabalaga’s starting place amid Andriy Lunin’s good period. Still, now, without clarifying, he does give some hope to the Ukrainian goalkeeper.”Kepa is back, and the good thing is that we have two reliable goalkeepers. We’ll see. Lunin has performed very well when he has played, and it’s a decision I’ll make tomorrow for the upcoming matches. I think Lunin deserves my consideration. Nothing has changed with Kepa; we have confidence in him. Lunin has shown character and personality. Whether one or the other plays won’t change much. There might be some rotation in the goal.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7729501##Lunin’s recent performances have indeed made the coaching staff doubtful. His ratio of goals conceded is better than Kepa’s, and he has appeared more secure and courageous in aerial situations than his colleague. However, Carletto has always felt more confident with the Spanish goalkeeper.Finally, Ancelotti provided an update on the injured players. The best news concerns Arda Guler, who is once again close to returning to the field.”Guler is in the final stages of his recovery. Next week, he will start with high intensity and will be ready for the last games of the year or the start of the next. I talked to all the injured players, and it took a long time because we have many injured players. Tchouameni is also close to returning, but we’ll have to wait until next year for Vinicius and Camavinga.”LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 16Friday 23.00: (2.70) Getafe (3.10) Valencia (3.10)Saturday 16.00: (2.19) Alaves (3.25) Las Palmas (3.90)18.15: (4.40) Betis (3.60) Real Madrid (1.88)20.30: (3.70) Villareal (3.50) Sociedad (2.19)23.00: (2.81) Mallorca (3.10) Sevilla (2.95)Sunday 16.00: (1.27) Atl.Madrid (6.75) Almeria (11.0)18.15: (5.60) Granada (3.90) Ath.Bilbao (1.73)20.30: (3.10) Cadiz (3.15) Osasuna (2.65)22.00: (1.58) Barcelona (4.40) Girona (6.50)Monday 23.00: (2.52) Rayo Vallecano (3.30) Celta (2.95)***odds are subject to change
