Carlo Ancelotti has reflected on his first few months in charge of Real Madrid, whilst also commenting on the signing of Gareth Bale.
The Wales international joined Los Blancos on Monday to much fanfare, and the Italian tactician has admitted that the former Tottenham attacker is ‘outstanding’.
“Bale is a very fast player who possesses great qualities in terms of ball control and shooting,” he told uefa.com.
“He has exceptional dynamism. He's an outstanding footballer with a great desire to come here and play for Real Madrid, so he'll do very well.
“We have the right mix of talent and experience. The team is very good and we'll be able to play well. The squad has fantastic players and the youngest have contributed enthusiasm and intensity.
“The aim is to play spectacular offensive football.
“The team is very good thanks to the squad's fantastic players. The youngest have contributed enthusiasm and intensity to our work.
“We have Bale, who has just arrived and is a very well-known player, so there's not much to add. He's an outstanding young footballer with a great desire to come here and play for Real Madrid, so he'll do very well.
“The team has been strengthened in general with a lot of young guys, some of whom come from the Real Madrid academy, like Jese and Casemiro. Carvajal is a good right-back. In addition, two young Spaniards have been signed, Isco and Illarramendi, with experience in the Liga and on national sides. Isco has already played in the Champions League.
“Pressure is normal when you're the Coach. There's a lot of pressure in Real Madrid and in Paris Saint-Germain. There's a lot of pressure in all teams because they all want to reach their objectives. And you don't always achieve them.
“After so many years of experience, in the end you get used to managing it. Attempting to win a tenth Champions League is a great motivation for all of us.
“Achieving it this season would be a great success for our fans, for the club and for all of those participating in this adventure.
“Winning this competition is the most important thing for a team, so everyone gives it their absolute all. That's what makes it so difficult. In addition, it's very unpredictable because there's a lot of movement and a lot of changes.
“There are teams that might start out as favourites one year and not be the following one. There's always a lot of uncertainty and that's the reason why it's a special competition, because everyone considers it the most important football competition in the whole world.”
Ancelotti then went on to remark on their Champions League group stage opponents.
“Juventus and Galatasaray are teams with experience in this competition and are very competitive. Copenhague is the surprise. I don't think it will be an easy group and it will be very even.
“I spent two years with Juventus and I have very fond memories, despite the experience not lasting long. But I had great players in the team and I got to know it as an outstanding club. The organisation is great and it has talented players. They've signed important footballers like Llorente and Tevez. They've played with the same manager for three years and they're well organised.”