Carlo Ancelotti praised Real Madrid’s young players for stepping up in their dramatic Copa del Rey victory on Wednesday.
Despite fielding a largely second-string squad, Madrid secured a 3-2 win over Leganes to reach the semi-finals. Ancelotti rested several key starters ahead of their LaLiga derby against Atletico Madrid on Saturday and next week’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.
After Luka Modric and Endrick gave Madrid an early lead, Juan Cruz netted twice for Leganes to level the score. However, 20-year-old academy striker Gonzalo Garcia came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner, sealing Madrid’s place in the final four.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti expressed his satisfaction with the young players’ contributions. “We have to appreciate what they’ve done tonight, and we must rely on them,” he said. “The academy does a great job, and the players come through well-prepared. Sure, they lack experience, but that’s all they’re missing.”
The Italian coach emphasized that he selects lineups to win, not just to give youngsters minutes. However, due to injuries and other circumstances, academy players have had more opportunities this season, and they have performed admirably.
In addition to 18-year-old Endrick and 19-year-old Arda Guller, who started in attack, Ancelotti handed 20-year-old Jacobo Ramon his first senior start alongside fellow academy player Raul Asencio, 21.
Endrick, now the top scorer in this season’s Copa del Rey with three goals, found the net again. But it was substitute Garcia who stole the spotlight, scoring his first senior goal just minutes after coming on.
"It was a tough match," Ancelotti admitted. "Defensively, we had some struggles. Jacobo [Ramon] was a bit nervous in his first game but grew into it as the match progressed. Gonzalo [Garcia] is in great form with Castilla, and Endrick contributed again. The team worked well together.”
Ancelotti was also pleased that Madrid avoided extra time, which would have made recovery more difficult. “We rested some players to keep them fresh for Saturday’s game, and now we’ll be ready for Atletico,” he concluded.
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