SOME OF THE ANCELOTTI PRE MATCH SOUTHAMPTON P/C
Ancelotti says James not 'definitely' out
He trained today. I hope he is going to train tomorrow and we will see if he is in condition to play on Sunday
Today's training was quite good but he only partial training today.
“I can not tell you were the hematoma . The possibility he plays depends on training tomorrow. If he is comfortable in training he is going to play.”
Kenny not ready
Kenny not ready yet. Godfrey in line to start at right-back v Southampton
Sorry for Van Dijk
"In my opinion, it was a challenge, a mis-timed tackle. He didn't want to hurt Van Dijk. We are really sorry for this, he is a fantastic player. Every one of us hopes for a good recovery for him."
No consideration to drop Pickford
I don't think there's a consideration to take him out [of the limelight]. He is going to play on Sunday.
Southampton will be tough
"It's really tough, they played really well against Chelsea. To win, you have to be at 100%, I would like to be 100% because our target is to try to win."
Ancelotti: We need to remain consistent
"The start was good, now there is a consistency to show every game. We showed a good spirit against one of the best teams and we would like to show the same on Sunday. That's how you can judge the consistency of the team. The same quality, spirit, football.
Carlo - We trying to follow club's motto
Everyone here tries to follow what is the spirit of this club, the spirit of the club is really well explained in that phrase. Of course we are trying to follow this, I think it's a good motivation for us.
Ancelotti told DCL the most-important goal is the next one
What is the most important you have scored?" Carlo answered for him, telling the striker: "Don't think, The most important goal is the next one.
High intensity required
They are trying to play without the ball with high intensity, they are really compact. We have to be smart, we have to be clever with the ball. If we are, we could have chances to win the game.
Pickford spoke to Henderson on tackle
I know he talked after the game with Henderson, I don't know if he was in contact with Van Dijk after. I know that he tried.
“The players in training showed a good motivation. The players who haven’t played a lot know they have an opportunity to be important for this team and in this game. There is a lot of opportunities to replace the players who are out
Ben 'played a good game
I think Ben played a good game. It was not his usual position, but after the first 15 minutes where he had difficulty the second half was really better. He played against one of the best wingers in the world in Mane, so it wasn't an easy game
We tried him this week in training as a RB, he has all the qualities I am confident of that. He is going to play RB (on Sunday)
ON AWAY RECORD
"In general everywhere, to win away now is a little bit easier than in the past [without fans]. Apart from this, the team has more ambition and motivation. That gives us, in the last few games, the opportunity to win away."
Fantastic' Keane hailed
He is doing really well, scoring goals which is important. He played a lot of games really well, but there wasn't a lot of competition! Mina and Michael were more comfortable to not be in competition, but he has put in fantastic performances until now
ON MINA
In general he is doing well, he made a mistake. Everyone does, he was unfortunate that the mistake he made fell to Salah and ended in a goal. In general he is doing really well and I am impressed with him and Michael Keane.
Ancelotti on why he mentioned VVD in regards to James’ injury: “
Because he had a contact at the first minute with VVD. Simple
