Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday that he is looking forward to his future at the club and described his trophy-laden second spell in charge as a “honeymoon.”
The LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup champions are in excellent form and are enjoying a 28-match unbeaten run heading into Tuesday's league match against Alavés.
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Ancelotti's team can lift another title when they face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final on June 1 at Wembley.
When asked how he feels, Ancelotti said at a press 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] Everyone is 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 hits, I'm enjoying it.”
Ancelotti, 64, started this season with only one year left on his contract, but signed an 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 remaining and is 15 points ahead of its closest rival, Girona.
They have won 28 and lost just one of their 35 league games this season.
“It has been an easy season thanks to the players,” Ancelotti said. “We have to take advantage of these [remaining league] matches to have good rhythm and motivation. Tomorrow the players who rested against Granada will play. The goal is to arrive with the team in top shape.
“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 will be present on Tuesday, who is in the race to finish as LaLiga's top scorer.
Since joining Madrid in a €103 million ($111 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the English midfielder has scored 18 league goals in 26 appearances, one goal less than Villarreal's Alexander Sørloth. who leads the LaLiga scoring table.
“The truth is that Bellingham has already achieved the objective,” Ancelotti said. “He has had a spectacular season, he surprised everyone, he helped the team. We are not going to ask him for more. We don't care that he is the top scorer.” [league’s top scorer]. It's his first year here and no one expected it.”
