Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at Real Madrid City to assess the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad (Tuesday, 9:30 pm CEST): “We're in good shape, team morale is positive and we're in form. We've got the South American lads back after the international break, we're eager to make another final. We've gone well in the cup in recent years and we'd love to see a repeat."

“Becoming the first Real Madrid coach to win three Copas does motivate me, but being so close to a final motivates me, the players and the club. Playing a final in any competition is a great achievement. We're very close and we're further motivated by the support of our home fans and the narrow lead we took in the first leg."

The current calendar compared to his time as a player

“Of course, the load was nowhere near as great. It's another kind of football. There are other elements too: the way games are prepared for, the load in terms of injuries. We have to manage all of that and hope that one day, we will get longer for players to recover and prepare better for games. We have to hang in there because it's going to be a very demanding season. We've managed it well so far, considering the problems and the more serious injuries we've had, which we won't recover from until the end."

We have a fairly minimal coaching staff. I have two assistants, a group of analysts and the goalkeeping coach. The biggest problem with the calendar is not having enough time to prepare for games. Our time on the training pitches is reduced and we have to resort to videos. We don't need to expand the coaching staff because we have no time to work on the pitch. We could add to it in order to do more specific work with the younger lads."

Calendar up until the Copa del Rey final

“I've looked at it and I haven't thought about it too much because I don't know whether we'll be in the final. Playing a day before or after doesn't matter too much. The most important thing is having that three-day minimum rest period."

Copa final goalkeeper

“We'll have to see if we get there. Lunin or Courtois could both play and if they're both injured, Fran González will take over. If we don't make the final, none of them will play."

Endrick

“I don't think he's concerned. He's happy, working hard and he looks motivated. I'm thrilled with him. I'll give him minutes wherever I can because he's always made the most of them and of course he might get a chance tomorrow because he's done a great job in the Copa del Rey. He's not lacking anything, it's a case of competition. That means there are immensely talented players in competition with him. History shows than many players who are in the starting line-up have spent time sat on the bench - that's to be expected at this club, as was the case with Vin Jr., Rodrygo and Camavinga.”

Left-back

“Fran García is playing a lot and contributing well. Mendy is trying to get back for the Arsenal game, as is Ceballos.”

Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo's numbers

“It's tough to compare different players. I hope and really wish for him that he's able to achieve what Cristiano Ronaldo did at Real Madrid. He's in with a chance of doing so and that means he'll become a Real Madrid legend as Cristiano Ronaldo has.”