Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, praised his team’s performance in the 5-0 victory over Deportivo Minera in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. Speaking after the game, he highlighted the quality and abilities of the younger players, emphasizing his continuous focus on nurturing talent.
Federico Valverde opened the scoring for Los Blancos in the 5th minute, paving the way for their dominant victory. Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modrić each contributed with goals, while Arda Güler added two more to seal the commanding win. This marked Real Madrid’s fourth consecutive victory across all competitions.
Ancelotti reflected on the match:
“We played well and showed commitment from the very start. We took an early lead and controlled the game effectively. I’m pleased with the team’s performance; it was a good match. Now, we can focus on the future. Taking every competition seriously is essential. Players who don’t often get chances played today, and that’s a positive thing. The atmosphere in the locker room is great. After the match, players stayed on the pitch to sign shirts for the fans, which made it an even better day.”
Addressing criticisms of his managerial approach, Ancelotti remarked:
“I don’t mind criticism—it’s a natural part of being a coach. Football isn’t a university; everyone is entitled to their opinion, and they might be right.”
Speaking about Endrick’s performance, Ancelotti said:
“He had a good game. His movements on the pitch were spot-on, and he created chances. While he wasn’t clinical in front of goal, he was dangerous on the right wing. He needs to remain patient because he will score many important goals.”
Regarding Federico Valverde’s goal:
“He played very well. He was on for 45 minutes, and we felt that was enough for him.”
Ancelotti also heaped praise on Luka Modrić, stating:
“Luka is a gift to the world of football. Everyone enjoys watching him play.”
Real Madrid will face Mallorca in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday. The match will take place at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah. The other semifinal will see Athletic Bilbao take on Barcelona.
