Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the media room at Real Madrid City to assess the clash with Athletic Club on LaLiga matchday 32: “We have to put on an intense display. We both played in Europe midweek, and I'd like to congratulate Athletic for making the Europa League semi-finals, they're close to their goal which is to play in the final at San Mamés. Athletic Club are an intense team who play some great football. We've had time to prepare and we want to continue in the fight for LaLiga tomorrow."

“I've spoken to the club and the players and we're all on the same page as far as fighting for the titles that are still on the table. We're all hurting, as are the fans, after being knocked out of such an important competition where the club has enjoyed great success in recent years, but these things happen in football. You can't win all the time. We're all on the same page. There is no conflict of any kind with the club, and there never has been because we're all in the same boat, through the good and the bad."

The president's support
"Whoever is talking about a clash with the club or the president isn't telling the truth. The truth is that these are the moments when the president shows me the greatest support. Even more so than when we're winning. This is the reality of the world we live in, where everything is questioned all the time. This is a club that has won almost 30 trophies in 11 years. I'm not worried about people questioning me at all."

His relationship with the club
“I don't regret a thing. I've always had a wonderful relationship with the club, ever since I arrived. It's the same now, and will continue to be so. We'll always stick together, as has been the case through everything we've done, and all we continue to do. We have never had, and will never have, any kind of conflict. To say there has been a clash between the club and myself is not the case and it is lying to people."



Objectives
“The Champions League is the biggest competition, not only for Real Madrid, but for every club. The history of this competition, fortunately, is the most successful part of this club's history too. It's not true to say the rest doesn't mean anything. Fighting for LaLiga, the Copa final and the Club World Cup is important as well."

The squad
“All I want is to thank the players, because I've had a great time up to this point, and I want that to continue. We're still fighting, we have a great relationship and we're all together. All I want to do today is thank them for giving me the chance to win two Champions League trophies in four years."

Which criticism hurt the most?
“I find the questions around a club that has won 27 titles in 11 years to be extremely misleading. That's what has frustrated me the most."

What's the most urgent area for improvement for the rest of the season?
“To rediscover that positive atmosphere, especially considering how many goals we've conceded in recent games. It's the same problem as ever: getting back to being more solid. In the closing stretch of the season, being solid will help us stay in the fight."

His future
“Anything can happen. We have to make an assessment for the future at the end of the campaign, or whenever it comes to a close. We're still competing for big trophies. We're in the fight for LaLiga, we're in the Copa final next week, then we've got our first Club World Cup… Discussing this now isn't appropriate. Of course, we'll discuss it at the end of the season. I don't want to talk about my future now."

Rumours linking him with the Brazil national side
“There's nothing to be said about it. We'll discuss it at the end of the season."