Bernabéu Bites, 08.25.2013: The Coaches Speak

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press today ahead of Real Madrid's second La Liga fixture against Granada. He spoke on a variety of topics, but started with the lingering elephant in the room that is the goalkeeping situation at Madrid:

I'm not going to say who the starting keeper will be tomorrow. I prefer to speak to the two of them (Casillas and López) beforehand and then make my decision [...] It's not Iker or Diego that plays, it's Real Madrid's goalkeeper that plays. The Bernabéu is our home and the support from the public is important.

On Asier Illaramendi, Ancelotti assured that the player will be ready after the upcoming international break. He will begin to train with the rest of the squad next week.

In reference to Tata Martino's words, which were covered in yesterday's Bites by Lucas, Carlo Ancelotti responded back to the Barca manager's comment on Real Madrid's high spending:

I find Tata's words strange. He's new here and doesn't understand European football. Barcelona have spent many millions themselves.

And of course, the Italian manager was asked about Gareth Bale. Though he said he would not speak about Bale out of respect, he did mention that he has not begun to think about where to play Bale if he comes because he has many other issues at hand to work out.

Ancelotti's press conference can be viewed in its entirety here.

Assistant manager Zinedine Zidane did have things to say concerning Bale, however. He is quoted in The Sunday People as offering his tutelage to the young Welshmen:

I know what it is to be the most expensive player in the world and I can hopefully offer him advice and mentor him [...] He will get even better. We are looking at a guy who can the be the best player in the world for the next four or five years.

<h4>More from Managing Madrid:</h4>

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<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/8/25/4656158/mesut-oezil-manchester-united?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Mesut Özil Wants Out</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/8/25/4655430/report-cristiano-ronaldo-sends-signals-to-old-trafford-about-return?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Cristiano Ronaldo Sends Signals To Old Trafford About Return As Early As Next Summer</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/8/24/4654486/scouting-granada-la-liga-2013-14-jornada-2?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Scouting Granada: La Liga 2013-14-Jornada 2</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2013/8/24/4653640/asier-illarramendi-recovery?utm_source=managingmadrid&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Asier Illarramendi Back With the Squad</a></li>

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