Carlo Ancelotti spoke in the press room at Real Madrid City to discuss Rayo Vallecano-Real Madrid clash on matchday 17 of LaLiga (Saturday 9 pm CET): “It will be demanding and more so at this stage of the season. Rayo have always been tough opponents for us. They play well and with intensity at home, but we have confidence. The team has recovered well, after an extra day's rest. We go into the game with plenty of desire to get three points.”

"I have to do my job as well as possible and I think we're doing well despite the difficulties. We're in the fight in all the competitions and we're going to fight for everything despite the numerous injuries that we have to evaluate with the medical staff and the fitness coaches. Things are starting to look up, as you can see. The players are starting to come back and we're looking forward to the return of Alaba, who is close to coming back.”

Victory against Atalanta
“It was an important moment and we overcame a difficult match. There was plenty of commitment, attitude and collective work. It was a complete performance and it gives us optimism for the next matches, starting with tomorrow's game. Wednesday's match is very important, but now we're only thinking about tomorrow.”

Fitnees of Mbappé and Camavinga
“Mbappé ‘s injury is not serious, although he won't be here tomorrow, but he will travel to Qatar and we'll assess the risk there and if he can play or part of the game. It's difficult. He's been here in the last few games, resting and working hard. We don't know. Fortunately, he'll only be out for a short period and will not lose what he has achieved in recent times. Camavinga is doing well and is available for tomorrow.”

Tchouameni’s efforts at centre-back
“First of all, I'd like to thank him for his commitment because he's playing in a position that is not his own. He has shown tremendous selflessness. He plays there without complaining and doing the best he can. He did very well against Atalanta and Girona and it's no coincidence that we won those two games with him. Bearing in mind that it's not his position, but he's doing it for the team. He's a very important pivot, one of the few in the market, but we're in an emergency situation, although fortunately, we've found a very reliable player in the youth academy in Asencio.”

Praise for Vini Jr.
“For us, he's still the best in the world and he still maintains a humility that is rare for a player at this level.”

Is Bellingham the leader?
“I don't know, but he's very important. His teammates like his attitude, his performance and the commitment he gives. He's a very important player in this sense because he adds commitment and that's what his teammates value the most."

Player rotation
“I can rotate certain players, but when I have a squad of 14 or 15 it's difficult to do so. And it's not always positive to bring in young players when the team isn't doing well. There is a lot of talk about Endrick, but I also have to think about when to put them in because the team's current situation can affect them. It's not easy.”

Endrick
“He is not the only one who has to work, but everyone has to work. He's very young and he has one of the best strikers in the world in front of him. We have to be patient. He'd like to play more, of course, but he's not asking for anything. He should continue his learning process like this. That's all.”

Is this the hottest dugout?
“All of them are hot and all coaches have problems in keeping their jobs. It's all normal. Of course, this dugout is hot, but like the rest of them.”

Guardiola’s situation at Manchester City
“I don't give him any advice. My opinion of him doesn't change because of the latest results. He's one of the best in the world and he's making his mark on football. He has been an innovator. We can control a lot of things, but we can't control the outcome of games. He's often done well and sometimes it doesn't work out for you.”