JEDDAH: Ahead of Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup clash with Mallorca in the semifinals on Thursday in Jeddah, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told media on Wednesday that he and his squad are happy to play again in Saudi Arabia.
He said: “Having the competition here is good for Spanish football. Firstly, for the teams that play here because they have the opportunity to receive the support of all the fans they have here.”
Asked about Real Madrid’s position if Dani Olmo and Pau Victor take part with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, he said: “You can ask about the games only but not this issue.”
He was also asked about Vinicius Junior’s behavior, to which he responded: “The Brazilian player has been insulted so many times. We don’t care what everyone thinks. He is a super player, and we are delighted to have him in all aspects.”
Speaking of tomorrow’s match against Mallorca, Ancelotti stated that his players are well-prepared and looking forward to winning. He said: “We have a lot of respect for their quality and the work of the coach. We have to respect them to the maximum.”
Lucas Vazquez met the press on Wednesday and said: “The Spanish Super Cup is a very good opportunity to win a title.
“We are determined to keep winning. Tomorrow is the first step toward winning the Spanish Super Cup, which is our objective.
“It’s a very good opportunity to win a title. We’re really looking forward to it and tomorrow we want to beat Mallorca to play in the final. We have a year with many challenges and we’re going to take them on with a lot of ambition.”
Asked if he is staying with Real Madrid for next season, the defender said: “It’s too early to know what’s going to happen. I’m happy here, enjoying this season. We’ll see what happens next season. I can’t say anything more.”
Defending LaLiga champion Real Madrid and 2023-24 Copa del Rey runner-up Mallorca face off Thursday at “The Jewel,” King Abdullah Sports City, in Jeddah at 10 p.m. Saudi time.
‘Real Madrid are ready for Mallorca’, says Ancelloti ahead of Spanish Super Cup clash
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‘Real Madrid are ready for Mallorca’, says Ancelloti ahead of Spanish Super Cup clash
- Ancelotti stated that his players are well-prepared and looking forward to winning
- Vazquez: ‘Tomorrow’s match is our way to the final’
Biker Edgar Canet enjoys dream Dakar start
- ‘I was super fast and super happy with this feeling. It’s the best way to start the rally’
YANBU: Spaniard Edgar Canet made a dream Dakar Rally debut on Saturday when the 20-year-old rookie topped the times in the prologue of motorsport’s most grueling event in Saudi Arabia.
The KTM factory rider ended the 22 km ride around Yanbu three seconds clear of teammate and defending champion Daniel Sanders with Honda’s American rider Ricky Brabec, the 2024 winner, five seconds adrift.
“I was super fast and super happy with this feeling. It’s the best way to start the rally,” said Canet.
Sanders was relieved to get his title defense up and running.
“Happy to be here at the start line and get the prologue done. It was a lot faster than expected, but not so technical, so it was hard to make up time,” the Australian said.
“It was full gas the whole time, so I’m sure there were really close times. It’s good to get that out of the way and get into a stage tomorrow.”
In the car category, Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar did the best of the big names, crossing eight seconds adrift in fourth. Defending champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi of Saudi Arabia was 14sec off the pace.
