Transcript: Carlo Ancelotti’s Press Conference Following Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey Win
Real Madrid managed a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad on the road in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash. Endrick scored the only goal of the game (19') on February 26.
The second leg of the tie will take place on April 1. While Los Blancos have the advantage, Carlo Ancelotti reckons his team need to keep up the level to book a spot in the final.
The Italian manager spoke to the media after the game. Read on to know what he said (via Real Madrid).
Q: On his team's performance
Ancelotti: The team is in great shape, we rotated a bit but we remained solid. We were very compact and defended well all over the pitch, we ran for each other. We performed very well despite the changes I made to the team. Endrick contributed brilliantly with a wonderful goal, showing some superb movement. Arda did a great job positionally and with his defensive duties. It was an intense, hard-fought match against opposition who gave it their all. We were able to pick up a good result ahead of the second leg.
Q: On the second leg
Ancelotti: We had chances in the second half but they pushed and created opportunities as well. It was a good display because it's always difficult to come here. Now we have the second leg and we'll have to play at the same level, but I think the team has done its job tonight.
Q: On the referee halting the game due to abuse on Vinicius and Asencio
Ancelotti: He did the right thing. Vini Jr. spoke to the referee and he stopped the game. He applied the protocol and did a good job. I brought Asencio off at half-time because he was a bit wound up and had a yellow card. It's not very nice for anyone to have an entire stadium chanting "die" at you, so that had an effect on him. I opted to bring him off because his feelings may have got to him during the game.
Q: Praise on Endrick
Ancelotti: He's a forward with attributes he's shown off in this Copa run. He's got a great eye for a goal, he's incredibly fast and powerful. He could use the ball better at times but he's young and a fast learner. He could have got another goal and his shooting is quite spectacular.
Q: Dani Ceballos' injury
Ancelotti: He had a muscle issue at the end of the game. He'll undergo tests tomorrow. Everyone has their attributes, and he manages possession very well, so that's what he contributed, strong ball retention. The others have other characteristics, but we've got Modrić, who's similar to Ceballos in that sense. Bellingham is playing really well and we'll have to replace an important player in Ceballos, but we'll manage.
Q: On Andriy Lunin
Ancelotti: He performed really well, he's a very reliable goalkeeper. He was fantastic last year and the same goes for this season. He'll play the return leg of the Copa semi-finals, but talking about who will play in any possible final feels too far off for me at this stage.
Q: On right-back
Ancelotti: I have to make a choice in each game. It was the first time playing that position for Raúl(Asencio) and I liked what I saw because he was fantastic defensively. Lucas was brilliant in the second half and we all know what he can offer. Valverde is an option as well. Fortunately, we're pretty well covered. We're finding a bit more solidity at the back and keeping a clean sheet at a place like this is very positive. Alaba is regaining his sharpness. Ceballos' injury is a blow, but there's nothing we can do about it.
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Apratim is an experienced sports journalist having covered European and World Football, Combat Sports, Olympic Sports, and more for online media publications like Sportskeeda, EssentiallySports, and more. He is currently an MSc. in Sport Marketing student at Loughborough University, London.