Ancelotti: 'Honeymoon' period at Madrid continues
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday he is looking forward to his future at the club, describing his second trophy-laden spell in charge as like a “honeymoon.”
The LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup champions are in superb form as they enjoy a 28-game unbeaten run heading into Tuesday’s leaugue game against Alavés.
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Ancelotti’s side can lift another title when they take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final on June 1 at Wembley.
When asked how he is feeling, Ancelotti told a news conference: “I’m very well, better than ever. The honeymoon continues. I’m excited and happy with what can happen. There’s no pressure in these press conferences.
“You [journalists] are all being too affectionate with me. But the problem is that I know that sooner or later the blows will come. But now that there are no blows, I’m enjoying it.”
Ancelotti, 64, began this season with just a year remaining on his contract but signed a contract extension in December that will keep him at the Bernabéu until June 2026.
The Italian coach returned to the club in 2021 for his second spell in charge and won a LaLiga and Champions League double in his first season back.
Madrid won LaLiga with four games to spare and are 15 points clear of nearest rivals Girona.
They have won 28 and lost just one of their 35 league games this season.
“It has been a simple season thanks to the players,” Ancelotti said. “We have to take advantage of these [remaining league] games to have good rhythm and motivation. Tomorrow the players that rested against Granada will play. The aim is to arrive with the team in top form.
“After the game against Alavés, I will give the players three days off. The team needs to rest. It has been a demanding season. We have two weeks to prepare well for the final.”
Jude Bellingham, who is in the race to finish as the top scorer in LaLiga, will feature on Tuesday.
Since joining Madrid in a €103 million ($111m) transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the England midfielder has scored 18 league goals in 26 appearances — one goal less than Villlarreal’s Alexander Sørloth, who leads LaLiga’s goascoring chart.
“The truth is that Bellingham has already achieved the aim,” Ancelotti said. “He’s had an outstanding season, surprised everyone, helped the team. We are not going to ask him for more. It’s not important for us that he is the ‘pichichi’ [league’s top scorer]. It’s his first year here and no one expected it.”
