Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has praised the professionalism of the players he has at his disposal this season.
The Italian spoke to Onda Cero’s ‘Al Primer Toque’ programme, where he was asked about the atmosphere in the dressing room following Madrid’s rise to the top of the La Liga table.
“There’s a very high level of professionalism and the fact you wear this shirt helps you and gives you responsibility,” declared the Italian.
“It was the same when I was with Milan, with the history there and the players that have passed through such an institution.
“I see seriousness in all aspects of training here, in every part of the club, and also how the players look after themselves after matches and the respect they have for each other.
“This is the most dedicated squad I’ve ever had and at Real Madrid I’ve never had the problem of facing up to a player and trying to motivate him.
“For example, those that are left out might be upset, yet rather than lower their intensity they train even harder to try and impress the boss.”
Ancelotti believes that because you have been a good player it does not necessarily follow that you will be a good Coach.
“To be a Coach you always need to be studying because football is constantly changing. You can’t think that after being a player you will then do well as a Coach.
“Even so, the fact that I had been a footballer did help me a lot, particularly in my first three years,” he conceded, before revealing that he selects his team before he goes to bed on the eve of a match.
“I used to have a hard time deciding my team and when I was at Juventus I spent a whole night without sleep thinking whether to put Inzaghi or Kovacevic in.
“When I woke up I found out that Inzaghi couldn’t play because he had a stomach problem, so now I decide the starting line-up before I go to bed and I sleep very well.”
