The Real Madrid captain, Dani Carvajal, has described the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti as a “necessary change.” According to Carvajal, the arrival of Xabi Alonso has brought “more discipline” to the team.
The Real Madrid has had a promising start to the season, with three victories in three LaLiga matches, leading the table before the international break. The previous season, 2024-25, the team failed to win any major title, which marked the end of Ancelotti’s cycle.
Carvajal, who missed a large part of last season due to a serious knee injury, has returned and is now competing for a place in the team with the new addition, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
I think it was a necessary change. Carlo’s cycle had come to an end. We all needed something new… With Xabi it’s going well, we’ve started well, assimilating new ideas, and there’s a lot left to reach our best level.
Dani Carvajal
Ancelotti now manages the Brazilian national team, after leaving Madrid as the coach with the most trophies in the club’s history, with 15 titles in two stages, including three Champions League.
Carvajal also spoke about the differences in the management of the coaches: “Each coach has his way of working. They are different generations. With ‘Carletto’ we had more freedom, we could arrive a little later, although Carlo got angry. Perhaps Xabi is more strict, there is more discipline.”
This summer, Madrid signed four players: Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono.
Alexander-Arnold has started in two league matches so far, while Carvajal played in the match against Oviedo.
Carvajal commented on the competition for the right-back position: “I find it totally understandable. When you see it: ‘Carvajal, 32 years old, a significant injury…’ In fact, I am grateful that the day after [the injury, Madrid] renewed my contract. I won’t be here forever.”
Regarding the competition with Alexander-Arnold, Carvajal added: “He’s a good guy. It’s tough competition, we’ll both try to compete for a place. It’s good for me… We are two players with different qualities and that’s good, a nice problem for the club and the coach.”
The Spanish national team to face Bulgaria and Turkey this week also includes Rodri, winner of the Ballon d’Or, who has been frequently linked with a possible transfer from Manchester City to Madrid.
Carvajal commented on Rodri: “I have a good friendship with him. Hopefully in the future he can be with us, he is a great player. But for now I understand that he is coming from a long-term injury and wants to repay the trust that [City] has placed in him.”
