Managing Madrid - Ludogorets Vs Real Madrid, Champions League: All the updatesDominating European football since March 6th 1902https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50831/mm-fav.png2014-10-02T21:45:01+02:00http://www.managingmadrid.com/rss/stream/66393182014-10-02T21:45:01+02:002014-10-02T21:45:01+02:00Why did RM struggle?
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Were Real's struggles in Bulgaria a result of something Ludogorets did, or did Madrid stand in their own way?</p> <p>We should have known the match was on its way towards entropic chaos when Ronaldo missed a penalty early on. After the 5-1 demolition of FC Basel two weeks ago it was assumed Madrid would roll Ludogorets in a similar fashion, but Ancelotti's boys struggled against a side it had no business struggling against.</p>
<p>Not only were there very predictable problems (early concession of a goal off a corner that Iker probably could've done better with), but there were some new frustrations also.</p>
<p>With the power of Paint and my deplorable artistic skills, I'll try to break down what happened in Bulgaria yesterday.</p>
<p>Ancelotti wanted to attack Ludogorets down the wings. Marcelo looked his usual self, comfortable going forward but a liability in defense, and to his credit, Arbeloa looked pretty comfortable no matter where he was. I think Arbeloa deserves some praise for transforming himself in his time here, as a few years ago the prospect of Arbeloa going forward was outright terrifying.</p>
<p><b>A lack of a central midfield</b></p>
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<p>With Kroos absent and Modrić not playing his best, the center of the pitch was desolate. Madrid were trying to build an attack here, but there was no one within what looks like 20 meters of where the referee was standing. Shockingly, nothing came of this possession.</p>
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<p>Isco was rated as Man of the Match, and he did really well with his dribbles down the wing. With Marcelo pushing up so often, the two would just hit 1-2 passes in hoping something would open up. Here you'll see Isco and Marcelo doing just that, but there weren't any passing lanes to neither Modrić nor Illarra. I thought Madrid's off-the-ball movement in general yesterday was pretty awful, and this image shows it.</p>
<p><b>Isco getting no help</b></p>
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<p>Here's more evidence that not only should Isco be played a bit more centrally, but also how much the squad missed Kroos. I lost count of how many times Isco would dribble, cut inside and see absolutely nothing. <span>Toni Kroos</span>' dominating central presence is indispensable, and without him, there was no help for Isco when he turned inside. Illarra was relegated to practically being a defender, Modrić was on the other side of the pitch, and all of Ronaldo, Chicha and Bale were too far forward.</p>
<p>This strategy really didn't work, and after Isco came off, James had a very similar role. In the buildup to Benzema's goal, James and Marcelo bounced the ball off another a few times, and while Marcelo's cross was quality, it only met Benzema because a Ludogorets defender tripped over his own feet.</p>
<p><b>Benzema's brilliance</b></p>
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<p>We hear so much about how "Benzema is a perfect striker <i>for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a></i>" but it was hard to pinpoint what makes that so. I genuinely think there's something to be said when a player plays alongside the same guys, in the same role for years.</p>
<p>Here, Marcelo fed a great through ball to Benzema, and he certainly had an angle to shoot, but he turned and picked out a wide open Toni Kroos who was breaking down (you guessed it) the dead center of the pitch. Kroos' shot went just high, but that's the type of selfless play and awareness that Benzema brings.</p>
<p>Ancelotti probably saw this match as a chance to experiment a bit as he sent out a starting 11 we had never seen before. It didn't help that Ronaldo, Bale and Modrić didn't play their best, but in general this formation doesn't look like it'll work, mostly because of how empty it leaves the middle of the pitch.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/10/2/6884105/ludogorets-real-madrid-champions-league-analysisMikePlatania2014-10-02T02:55:59+02:002014-10-02T02:55:59+02:00CA: "We have to cover the near post more."
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<figcaption>David Ramos</figcaption>
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<p>Carlo Ancelotti, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema spoke to the press following Real Madrid's scrappy 2-1 victory over Ludogorets. </p> <p><span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> appeared content (perhaps for appearances only) following his team's ugly 2-1 Champions League victory against Ludogorets on Wednesday. Here are some highlights from the manager's comments:</p>
<p><b>Match Outcome:</b></p>
<p><i>In general I'm very happy because we deserved to win, since we had a lot of chances to score. It was a good match. We had a hard time when we conceded the goal at the start, but we pressed up front, won back a lot of balls with our pressing and had a lot of chances.</i></p>
<p><b>Conceding on a corner kick:</b></p>
<p><i>Their goal is very similar to the ones we conceded against Atlético and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/real-sociedad" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Sociedad</a>. We have to cover the near post more. Today our best headers of the ball were out there to cover the near post, like Ronaldo or Bale, but we conceded a goal again.</i></p>
<p><b>Formation:</b></p>
<p><i>We played a 4-4-2 because Bale put in a lot of work further back and Isco played on the left wing. It has to be taken into consideration that we have to take risks with counter-attacks, but in the end Iker only made one save.</i></p>
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<p><span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span> also shared his thoughts on the win:</p>
<p><i>It wasn't a brilliant match but the most important thing is the three points. I'm very happy because, although the team did not put on a great performance, we won the match and I scored another goal. It's important to keep on scoring.</i></p>
<p><b>Regarding Casillas:</b></p>
<p><i>Casillas always plays to a very high level and, as for the shouts from the stands, it's not for me to comment on because it's not something that affects me.</i></p>
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<p>Finally, <span>Karim Benzema</span> analyzed his goal and overall contributions to the team:</p>
<p><i>For me the most important thing is the team's play, although for a forward it's also very important to score. Today I helped the team and my team-mates a lot. The most important thing is to win. The fans want me to score a lot of goals but we're going to work hard like today.</i></p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/10/2/6885551/post-match-press-recap-real-madrid-vs-ludogoretsPedro Cesca2014-10-01T23:49:23+02:002014-10-01T23:49:23+02:00Ludogorets V. Real Madrid, Madrid Win 2-1
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<figcaption>Manuel Queimadelos Alonso</figcaption>
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<p>Carlo Ancelotti's much anticipated squad rotations almost sunk Los Blancos, as second-half substitutes James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema combined with Marcelo to create the winning score against a sharp, spirited Ludogorets squad in the 77th minute of a wild, frantic match. </p> <p>Isco, <span>Asier Illarramendi</span>, Alvaro Arbeloa and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez were among the players granted starts by the Italian tactician. Their performances amongst the regulars amounted to a mixed-bag to say the least, with Hernandez registering a particularly poor showing that'll likely relegate him exclusively to garbage time minutes against the Cordoba's of the world.</p>
<p>Real started extremely slow in-front of the raucous Bulgarian crowd and Ludogorets quickly proved their strong showing at Anfield was no fluke, going forward at Madrid's defense with vigor and deadly intent. <span>Sergio Ramos</span> looked strangely out of sorts for a player who not only played so well against <a href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Villarreal</a> on Saturday but also (perhaps more importantly) as a player who's played in virtually every high-stakes situation imaginable. It was he who gambled recklessly and missed on a challenge near midfield, setting in motion the sequence of events that saw Ludogorets take a shocking early lead.</p>
<p>The attack in the wake of Ramos' mistake resulted in a corner that Ludogorets converted on a powerful Marcelinho header after some abysmal marking from Arbeloa left him wide open at the far post. Once again, in what has become a bitterly familiar refrain, Real's vulnerabilities defending set-pieces saw them concede a crucial goal. It is really striking that this problem has plagued this team for so long.</p>
<p>The match went back and forth tumultuously before a Luka Modric pass took a strange deflection directly into the path of Chicharito who was pulled down in the box for a penalty to Real. It was perhaps the Mexican international's only positive contribution on the night. <span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span> stepped up to the spot and was promptly denied by Ludogorets keeper Vladislav Stojanov. It was like seeing Spiderman slide clumsily down the side of a building. Stojanov made an excellent save, proving that the white-hot, typically automatic CR7 is at least partially human after all.</p>
<p>It seemed an ominous sign for Real. The side were out of synch, missing the steely, precise organization of <span>Toni Kroos</span>, while the disheveled back-line certainly seemed to ache for Dani Carvajal's passion and intensity. Ludogorets and Real traded blows and the Bulgarian side again troubled Real with their counterattacking capabilities.</p>
<p>Two things became obvious as the match wore on: Ludogorets had scouted Real's set-piece defending deficiencies with a studious eye and they were keying their attacks, just as Villarreal seemed to do, down Marcelo's flank. Ludogorets also seemed to have control the center of the pitch for large stretches of play, another alarming tendency that recurred from the Villarreal game.</p>
<p>Los Blancos finally started to establish a rhythm, even with Chicharito appearing an exceedingly pale imitation of Big Benz, and Cristiano was quickly brought down in the area to grant Real another penalty. As the great Ray Hudson would say, you could have bet your mortgage on Cristiano cooly dispatching his chance at redemption. He did so with authority and Madrid were level at 1-1.</p>
<p>Isco showed flashes of brilliance, but his uneven performance displayed a little of the old blessing-and-curse dichotomy, as his supreme talent allowed him to showboat his way into unforced errors before also enabling him to do things like set Hernandez on a silver platter with a mesmerizing little ball late in the first half. <span>Gareth Bale</span> and Ronaldo were able to flash some of their dynamic interplay but Chicharito was unable to show in the box the way Benzema usually does.</p>
<p><span>Iker Casillas</span> turned in another solid effort between the sticks, making numerous tough saves, including a great save in the 56th minute that kept the score level. In what was a truly electric football match, the outcome seemed in doubt as the second half wore on at a torrid pace. Ancelotti then decided to finally put Chicharito out of his misery in favor of Benzema in the 67th minute. Real's attack immediately had more bite. Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez soon followed. These moves definitively altered the course of the match.</p>
<p>James and Marcelo criss-crossed down the left, interweaving beautifully, before Marcelo had enough space to launch a pretty cross into the box for Big Benz to finish with supreme style. It was some of the most influential work James has engineered in a white shirt. Stung, but not ready to give up by any means--Ludogorets kept attacking, forcing a few nervy moments in front of Casillas as the match wound to its ferocious conclusion. Real ultimately held on, securing a vital 2-1 victory against a serious team in a delirious stadium. It was an amazing, breathless example of European football.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/10/1/6882349/ludogorets-v-real-madrid-champions-league-scoreDennis J. Seese2014-10-01T23:12:41+02:002014-10-01T23:12:41+02:00Ludogorets - Real Madrid: Player ratings
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>The entrance of Karim Benzema shook the match up and yielded Real Madrid's comeback.</p> <p align="justify">Casillas: <b>7</b>. Our captain showed a good overall performance, being able to avoid a second goal by Ludogorets with three good saves. However, his control of the box when defending set pieces seemed non-existent once again.</p>
<p align="justify">Arbeloa: <b>3</b>. He miserably failed to control his post in the corner kick that yielded Ludogorets's goal, and he should have been able to block Marcelinho's header.</p>
<p align="justify">Varane: <b>6</b>. A solid performance by Varane once again. Clean as usual, he showed a great display inside <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid's</a> box and continued to confirm the improvement in his aerial play.</p>
<p align="justify">Ramos: <b>5</b>. A similar display to that of his partner <i>Rafa, </i>with the extra difficulty of having to cover a highway behind Marcelo's back. A couple of risky tackles after having been booked could have meant a red card for him.</p>
<p align="justify">Marcelo: <b>3</b>. A great offensive contribution, as usual, but he was once again a defensive liability. Ramos had to cover his position way too many times during the game.</p>
<p align="justify">Illarramendi: <b>6</b>. A solid performance, both in offensive and defensive tasks, although he lacked a bit of verticality with the ball.</p>
<p align="justify">Modric: <b>4</b>. Although he got the ball as many times as he is used to, he was irrelevant to Real Madrid's offensive play today. He was never able to break lines with conductions and his passing was too horizontal.</p>
<p align="justify">Isco: <b>7</b>. Until he left the field, he was the only Real Madrid player who was able to do anything out of the ordinary to break Ludogorets's defence. A fantastic 90% of accurate passes and six dribbles won made him the Man of the Match according to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/885689/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2014-2015-PFC-Ludogorets-Razgrad-Real-Madrid">Whoscored</a>.</p>
<p align="justify">Bale:<b> 6</b>. A discreet game by Bale today in the right wing, possibly because Real Madrid's offensive play was always built in the opposite wing. However, he made sense every time he got the ball, and had a couple of good goal chances that were cut because he was offside.</p>
<p align="justify">Chicharito: <b>4</b>. He was very active upfront and provoked the penalty kick that Ronaldo missed, but he failed to score in front of an empty goal in the second half.</p>
<p align="justify">Ronaldo: <b>6</b>. He scored a penalty kick but he missed another. Until Benzema's entrance, he was Real Madrid's most dangerous attacker on the field, although he was not nearly half as brilliant as he's been in the last few games.</p>
<p align="justify">Benzema: <b>9</b>. Karim only needed twenty-five minutes to become Real Madrid's best player on the field tonight. He shook the game up, scored the winning goal and gave a couple of key passes that should have been converted into Real Madrid's third goal by his partners.</p>
<p align="justify">It would be unfair to give Kroos and James a mark since they didn't affect Real Madrid's performance significantly in the minutes they played. Their performance was average.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/10/1/6882353/ludogorets-vs-real-madrid-uefa-champions-league-2014-2015-playerDaniel Girela2014-10-01T19:30:25+02:002014-10-01T19:30:25+02:00Lineups and live thread
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<figcaption>Manuel Queimadelos Alonso</figcaption>
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<p>Chicharito, Isco and Illarramendi start</p> <p>Ludogorets Starting XI: Stoyanov, Aleksandrov, Minev, Moti, Júnior Caiçara, Fábio Espinho, Dani Abalo, Dyakov, Marcelinho, Bezjak</p>
<p><b>Real Madrid Starting XI</b>: Casillas, Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Illarramendi, Modric, Isco, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Chicharito.</p>
<p>It's surprising to see Carlo Ancelotti starting Illarramendi, Isco and Chicharito the same game. Even though Ludogorets shouldn't be a problem for Real Madrid, these squad with a lot of reserve player could need some time to get things done. Kroos will be on the bench for the first time this season as well, while Pepe still doesn't make the starting lineup after recovering from his small injury.</p>
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https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/10/1/6877939/ludogorets-vs-real-madrid-champions-league-live-online-streamLucas Navarrete2014-10-01T09:55:19+02:002014-10-01T09:55:19+02:00Unleashing Isco
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<figcaption>Dennis Grombkowski</figcaption>
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<p>Wednesday's match against PFC Ludogorets is a chance for Isco to show why he should be a staple of Real Madrid's starting 11. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Finding playing time for a 22 year old dynamo isn't a problem endured by most clubs, but it is for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Isco Alarcón is on his way to being one of the world's best midfielders, and the only thing that could stop him is playing time. Drawing comparisons to Mesut Özil, Isco is loaded with creativity, and his sudden rise to stardom earned him a contract with Real Madrid two summers ago.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Having an excess of budding midfielders is all too familiar for Real, and <span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> <b>cannot allow Isco slip through the cracks. </b>After Özil arrived, Kaka got pushed to the bench before being sold. After Bale arrived, Di María got pushed to the bench before being sold. After Isco arrived, Özil got pushed to the bench before being sold. Isco cannot be forsaken due to James' arrival, because he is just different.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">The Spaniard has two intrinsic talents in his vision and technical ability. He's the type of player who will have you rewinding the match film dozens of times, trying to figure out how he saw a passing lane, and sometimes it looks like the ball is tied to a string attached to his boots as he weaves through defenders.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If Ancelotti wants to play defensively sound, yet volatile in attack, Isco will be vital against stronger sides. Carlo's favorite midfield lately has been Modrić-James-Kroos, but Isco is able to spring Bale and Ronaldo faster than James. Last week we saw a glimpse of what he's capable of after tallying two assists in 20 minutes off the bench against Deportivo, and he bookended that with 90 minutes of composure against Elche. The common denominator in last week's games was his effortless ability to move the ball from the midfield to the opponents' third.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There will absolutely be some growing pains with Isco. He'll likely turn in a lackluster performance or two this season, but that's the nature of his game. Carlo has preached the importance of not burning out his squad this season in order to have a very, very realistic shot at winning the treble. Just like Illarra's being phased into the starting 11, I imagine Isco isn't far behind.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">By allowing Isco to thrive against Elche, Deportivo and Lodogorets, he'll be better off against bigger clubs down the line. With a trip to Anfield and a date with Barca at the end of the month, it's no surprise Ancelotti is unleashing Isco now.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/10/1/6875913/real-madrid-isco-roleMikePlatania2014-09-30T23:19:36+02:002014-09-30T23:19:36+02:00Ludogorets-RM: TV Info, Prediction and Preview
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<figcaption>Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Real Madrid visit Bulgaria aiming to get the second win of this Champions League campaign. Pepe is finally available and Isco will start the game.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Bulgaria has a lot of Real Madrid fans. Around 600 <i>peñistas </i>are expected to support the team inside Ludogorets' stadium. The Bulgarian side caused Liverpool lots of problems --the reds only managed to win thanks to a penalty scored by Gerrard in added time-- and they should play even better on their home country. That is because Ludogorets will not play their home matches on their own stadium, as they don't meet UEFA's capacity requirements. Those matches will be played in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city, 324 kilometers away from Razgrad.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">It would be cynical not to admit that Real Madrid are the favorites in this game. Los Blancos are on a good and convincing winning streak that should keep going until the next Clásico --October 26th-- considering how bad Bilbao and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/levante">Levante</a> are playing at this moment. Still, first things first, and Ancelotti's men will need to take care of business this Wednesday in order to keep fighting for the leading spot of the Group with Liverpool.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Both teams face this match with no relevant team news, as only Jesé, Khedira and Coentrao will be forced to sit this match out for Real Madrid while Ludogorets manager Georgi Dermendzhiev won't be able to count on Alexandre Barthe and Georgi Terziev remains questionable.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">The Bulgarian club should fight against FC Basel for the third spot in the Group --and an automatic spot in the UEFA Europe League--, so Real Madrid will surely try to avoid dropping points against both clubs.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Isco Alarcón was alongside <span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> in the pre-match press conference, so expect him to start this match in Real's midfield. That way, Ancelotti could give either Kroos, Modric or James some rest ahead of Sunday's home match against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://athletic.theoffside.com/">Athletic Bilbao</a>. However, don't expect Illarra to start this match as the midfielder missed Monday's training session as is still a bit uncomfortable with his small injury.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Pepe's recovery should also be noted and the Portuguese defender could make his return to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid's</a> starting lineup, meaning that one man out of Raphäel Varane and <span>Sergio Ramos</span> could also stay on the bench. Varane completed his third consecutive start against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/">Villarreal</a>, and it would be a pity to break his streak considering how well the French defender is playing lately. Pepe will need to work a lot to regain his spot as a starter in Ancelotti's defensive line.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">One way or another, this should be a manageable game for Real Madrid, even though the Bulgarian fans are expected to make it a bit tougher.</p>
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<p><b>Squad list:</b></p>
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<blockquote>
<li><span>Goalkeepers: Casillas, Navas, Pacheco</span></li>
<li><span>Defenders: Arbeloa, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Pepe, Nacho, Marcelo</span></li>
<li><span>Midfielders: Kroos, Illarramendi, James, Modric, Isco, Medrán</span></li>
<li><span>Strikers: Bale, Cristiano, Benzema, Chicharito</span></li>
</blockquote>
</ul>
<p><b>Projected lineup</b>: Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Bale, <span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span>, Benzema.</p>
<p><b>TV Information</b>: Canal+ Liga de Campeones 2 (Spain), FOX Sports (United States), Sky Go (UK), <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1307953/ludogorets-vs-real-madrid/" target="_blank">Others</a>.</p>
<p><b>Prediction</b>: Ludogorets 1-3 Real Madrid</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/30/6875303/ludogorets-vs-real-madrid-champions-league-tv-online-streamLucas Navarrete2014-09-30T17:58:59+02:002014-09-30T17:58:59+02:00"CR7 the best I've ever coached"
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QvaZjzVVh7N77rXGKexDgZOHlec=/0x50:2572x1765/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40498824/456186746.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Manuel Queimadelos Alonso</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Italian coach spoke alongside Isco Alarcón the day before visiting Ludogorets in the second game of the Champions League. He confirmed Pepe is available.</p> <p>Ancelotti started the press conference assessing Wednesday's game against Ludogorets.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>There are no poor teams in this competitions. The first match played by Ludogorets against Liverpool was really good, and we all know how hard it is to play in Anfield. We want to win this match to establish ourselves in the Group.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>I'm not thinking about rotations, but if I see that some of our players are tired today I will give them rest. These first matches in the Group Stage are always crucial and our primary goal is to lead the Group.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>They play with a lot of intensity and they are solid. I believe these two things will be their main weapons for Wednesday's match. They also have quality, we are building a gameplan to contain a whole squad and not a single player. They are quick and dynamic and that's what surprised me the most after watching them playing in Anfield.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ancelotti had some praise for <span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span> as well.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player I've ever coached, with no disrespect to the others.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bale didn't play well against <a href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Villarreal</a>, but Ancelotti is not worried about it.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Bale is not as involved in some games because there are some games in which players are not at 100%. But he's played well, he's scored and he knows the work he has to do because he's doing it very well. I'm satisfied.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>and finally, some talk about the team's formations and tactics.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We always try to defend with a 4-4-2 formation and then attack through our wing players. I think 4-4-2 is the best system when you don't have the ball because it allows you to cover gaps really well.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Isco's role was also brought to Ancelotti's attention.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Isco doesn't need anything else. He knows he's very important for us, but I can't start more than 11 players.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Isco was the one player chosen to speak to the press, and he talked mainly about his role in this team.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The coach wants me to be involved in defense, if I want to have minutes I have to contribute defensively. I'll just try to go out and play well with the ball and off the ball as well. Players like Illarra and me don't need any special motivation, we're young and we know how hard it is to play for <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a>. We're always ready to give our best. I'm really happy here.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Spanish player wanted to send a message about Wednesday's game as well.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is not an easy game. We will play respectfully and we'll try our best to get the three points. It's a very important away game but we can't afford relaxation and we're hoping to keep this momentum going.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/30/6873037/ancelotti-press-conference-ludogorets-champions-leagueLucas Navarrete