Winner of the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, Carlo Ancelotti and his team face Real Sociedad this Tuesday for the return leg. Questioned about various topics concerning his squad, particularly Endrick—the sole goalscorer in the first leg—the Madrid coach clarified things.
After their hard-fought victory against Leganés in La Liga last Saturday, Los Blancos will be back in action for a crucial showdown against Real Sociedad in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Holding a slight advantage (0-1), Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to put in a strong performance to finish the job and secure a spot in the final. On the eve of this big clash at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Madrid coach spoke to the press.
Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference
Asked about his players’ mindset, comparisons between his team’s playing style and that of FC Barcelona, or the limited game time given to young Endrick—who has been scoring decisive goals—Ancelotti, as always, responded with his usual composure. Here’s the full exchange between the 65-year-old Italian coach and the media on Monday.
50th match of the season, how is the team feeling?
“We’re doing well. We’re motivated and in good shape. We want to play another final. The Copa has been good for us, and we want to keep it that way.”
How many matches did you play when you were a footballer? This season could reach 85 games…
“There wasn’t this level of strain. It was a different sport, a different type of football. Not only in terms of fatigue but also in preparation and injuries. We have to manage this while hoping for more time to recover and better prepare for matches… This season will be very demanding. We’ve handled it well despite serious injuries that we won’t recover from before the end of the campaign.”
Will Andriy Lunin play in the final?
“Yes… We’ll see. Lunin could play, Courtois could play, and if they’re injured, there’s Fran González. And if we don’t reach the final, none of them will play.”
What about Endrick? Will he start and stay at Real Madrid?
“I’m very happy with him. Whenever I’ve had the chance, I’ve given him minutes, and he has always made the most of them. Tomorrow, he might get another opportunity.”
How do you see Fran García’s progress?
“He’s contributing a lot. Mendy and Ceballos are working to be back in time for the Arsenal match.”
Mbappé has matched Cristiano’s goals in his first season. Could he become the greatest of all time?
“It’s hard to say. My advice to Mbappé is to strive for what Cristiano achieved at Real Madrid. He has the potential. That would make him a legend, just like Cristiano.”
Does it bother you when people say Barcelona plays better football than Madrid?
“No, everyone has their own opinion. Some prefer possession-based football, others favour long balls and second-ball battles… There are many different styles, and everyone has their preference.”
Will David Alaba start tomorrow?
“Alaba is doing well. He played for Austria. Starting him in two games within three days could be a risk. He has a good chance of featuring tomorrow. Those who didn’t start against Leganés are more likely to start.”
What does it mean to be the first Real Madrid coach to win three Copas?
“Being close to the title is a huge motivation for the players, for me, and for the club. I’m more motivated by that than anything else. Reaching any final is a great achievement. Given that we have a slight advantage and the support of our fans, we are even more determined.”
What is Endrick missing? Would you consider him for penalties?
“I’m considering it. But it depends on many factors. Beyond competition, he isn’t lacking anything. The issue is the competition itself. There are players of extreme quality. The history of this club shows that many first-team players have spent time on the bench before earning their place. Vinicius did for a few years, as did Rodrygo, Valverde, and Camavinga. If you want to be at Real Madrid, you have to accept spending some time on the bench.”
Did you watch Enzo Alves, Marcelo’s son, play yesterday (for the U-19s against Atlético)?
“He made a difference. I don’t know him very well. I remember taking pictures with him when he was a child. I have fond memories from 2014 when I took a photo with Marcelo’s and Xabi Alonso’s sons after the Champions League final. It would be great to recreate that moment now. The whole club is excited about him. If he has his father’s quality, bingo!”
Does Barcelona have a better playing style than Madrid?
“Barcelona plays beautiful football, but Madrid has a different style, with a lot of quality. I like Madrid’s football as well as Barcelona’s. Comparing the playing styles of two teams is difficult because it depends heavily on the players. Real Madrid has different characteristics from Barcelona. Some might say Barcelona plays very well and Madrid doesn’t, but I like the way we play. I’ve liked it for three years now. Some seasons are more complicated than others. The team structure changes, players change, and that’s why it’s impossible to maintain a fixed identity. Those who try to stick to the same identity forever end up failing.”
Why is it so difficult to kill off games?
“Because every match is highly competitive. We’ve been very efficient in attack. We’re less solid defensively than last season, but more clinical upfront. We’ve suffered some major injuries in defence, which has impacted our solidity.”
Are the players pacing themselves because of the packed schedule?
“I talk to them a lot about staying motivated and focused, but it’s almost impossible. We try. This schedule is exhausting and challenging. We’ve managed it well. Every player has a different mentality. Some remain focused all the time, while others struggle more.”
Have referees been more lenient with Real Madrid since the club’s statement?
“There have been three matches where we lost a lot of points. I understand Leganés’ complaints in a controversial situation, just as we had our own grievances. I have nothing more to add.”
Are you considering expanding your coaching staff?
“I think it’s already quite small. I have two assistants, a team of analysts, and a goalkeeping coach. We are considering it. The biggest issue with the schedule is the lack of time to prepare matches. Training time is very limited. There’s no need to expand the coaching staff just to maintain the same work, but we could do so to focus more on young players and provide them with more individualised training.”
Your opponent in the Copa had 24 hours more rest. Is that fair?
“I noticed that, yes. Honestly, I haven’t thought about it much. If we didn’t play, there wouldn’t be an issue. Having one more or one less day of rest isn’t that crucial. The most important thing is having at least three days to recover.”
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