Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah and discussed the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca (Thursday, 8 pm CET): “The characteristics and strength of the opposition are the most complicated thing. We respect their qualities and the work done by their coach. They caused us problems in the league and we have to do our job to reach the final.”

“The team has found new momentum after the tough period we had. It's the first competition of the year and we won it in 2022 and 2024. That brought us motivation and that's what we expect from this Super Cup: that it will bring us motivation and focus for the rest of the season.”

Real Madrid’s current form
“The team is doing much better than we did in the last league game, but every game has its problems and difficulties. We prepare very well for this type of match and there will be no problems in terms of attitude and commitment. The momentum of the last month has been positive.”

Motivation to win the trophy
“When there is a trophy at stake, this team remains highly focused. We had a week off and the players took advantage of it to rest, come back strong, motivated and ready to start the new year well.”

Mallorca’s qualities
“I don't want to say what has changed compared to Aguirre's team. They're a well-organised team, who defend very well and make the most of the characteristics of the players they have. That's my idea of football and of what a coach should do: take advantage of the characteristics of his players.”

“Our style isn't going to change. We know our opponents very well and they know us. We struggled a lot in the first game of the league and it's going to be competitive. They're a team with good characteristics and they're going to fight it out with us.”

No extra-time
“We intend to perform well and try to win, but if we don't win, the penalty shoot-out decides the finalists. That saves us from extra time, which is difficult to manage at the moment.”

Vini Jr.’s ban
“I hear the insults on the pitches as he does. It's hard to be Vini Jr. and I still think the two-match ban isn't right. We're delighted with him in all respects. I still think so. Everyone can say what they want. I just get tired because when we talk about provocation on Vini Jr.'s part, it deflects from the insults and everything else that happens to him.”

Alaba’s return
“He's doing well and we're about to see him back. We don't want to bring it forward by another week or 10 days.”

How do you feel about the competition being held in Saudi Arabia?
“We always receive a lot of affection in Saudi Arabia from the football fans. It's good for Spanish football and for the teams involved because it gives the fans who love us so much here the opportunity to see the team up close.”

Other semi-final
“It's going to be an entertaining game and I'm going to enjoy watching it because I'm a football lover. I don't want to talk about what happens surrounding the match.”