The Italian coach made a great return in Madrid as he started his second spell in charge in the Spanish capital with a great win over Alaves. Benzema played a vital role on the night at the Estadio Mendizorroza. Los Blancos struggled to break down their stubborn hosts in the opening 45 minutes but a second half brace from Benzema propelled them on to a crucial win in the Basque Country.
Ancelotti was delighted to secure an instant La Liga win at the start of the 2021/22 campaign and the veteran manager was deeply impressed by his old and new players. He spoke to the media after the match and said great words about the defense and the duo Bale-Hazard, but was especially moved by Karim Benzema.
Praising Benzema: "He's the team's finisher and he has the ability to read the situation in the game superbly. He moves well and helps out in possession. To call Benzema just a striker does not do him justice. He is a very complete player, far more complete than five years ago. He is the one who finishes our moves off but he also reads the game so well.”
On the match’s dynamics: “We saw a game in which the intensity wasn't good enough in the first half but really improved in the second. We have really quick defenders and we could have pressed higher up but it's the first game and we need to work on it more, which we will do. We want to play with intensity both with and without the ball because we have the quality to do so", Carletto said.
He continued: "The first half was sluggish. Things changed in the second, the intensity and quality improved. Benzema's goal opened up some space for us and Hazard did a good job. It was tough to take up good positions between the lines because Alavés defended very well. I have lots of options at left-back. I have four guys who can play there: Alaba, Marcelo, Mendy and Miguel Gutiérrez. Even Nacho can play there”.
On Bale: "The team has worked really hard in pre-season. Everyone has. Every single player has put in a shift. Bale has also been totally committed and I’ll think he’ll improve because he’s still not at full fitness. I’ve been impressed with him and he’s shown great desire".
Nacho’s character according to Carletto: "For me there are two types of defenders in football - the optimist and the pessimist. He’s one of the latter because he believes something could happen at any time which allows him to concentrate for 90 minutes".
The importance of Vinicius Junior: "He’s dangerous in one-on-one situations and that’s essential for us. I told him it’s very difficult as a striker to score after four or five touches of the ball. I told him he only needs one or two touches to score and that’s all he needed. To score, you need one touch or maybe two maximum! You have to be in the area! He did very well at the cross where he scored. He’s still very young and will continue to improve".
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