MADRID, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that he was more optimistic about his side now than he was a month ago.
Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday's La Liga visit to play Celta Vigo, the Italian, who celebrates his 200th game as Madrid coach in Vigo, looked at his side's fitness, comparing it favorably to the start of the season, when many players were still short of peak conditioning.
"The feeling is very different," said Ancelotti, adding, "I am more confident now than a month ago. I see the team looking more motivated and physically better."
He said the season was reaching an "important moment," where his side "have some very strong rivals, but I think we are going into those games with a good feeling."
He celebrated the fact that neither Kylian Mbappe nor Vinicius Jr had been called away on international duty, saying Mbappe had "taken advantage of the break to improve his condition. He is very good, happy and looking forward to playing."
"These 15 days have helped him a lot, because he is a different player from before the break," said the coach.
Ancelotti explained Mbappe had focused on physical rather than tactical work, and refused to comment on stories of the French striker being investigated over an incident at a party that he is reported to have attended in Sweden.
"I'm not here to comment on speculation, only to discuss the work he does," said Ancelotti, who was also happy with the work Vinicius had done over the past two weeks.
"He has had some days of intense work and other days of rest that I think he has enjoyed, but the pitch tomorrow will be the judge," Ancelotti concluded. ■
