New Delhi: Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised the Real Madrid youngster for helping his side overcome Leganes with a 3-2 win in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with Gonzalo Garcia scoring the 93rd winner. The 20-year-old has been on the bench on four occasions but hadn’t played for them this season, after making his debut for Los Blancos last season.
Luka Modric had put his side ahead in the 18th minute at Estadio Municipal de Butarque with Endrick, getting a rare feature in the starting XI, doubling Madrid’s lead in the 25th minute. However, hosts Leganes managed to ignite a comeback after Juan Cruz found the back of the net in the 39th minute before his 59th-minute strike cancelled the lead Madrid had in the game.
Ancelotti brought Garcia instead of Endrick in the 82nd minute and he didn’t disappoint, scoring in injury time from a cross delivered by Brahim Diaz and handing his side the win. For Madrid’s reserve team Castilla, the Spanish international has already scored 19 times this season.
Ancelotti noted that it was “even” competition between the two sides and pointed out that Madrid had issues at the back. The Italian boss mentioned that Jacobo Ramon, their 20-year-old defender was at first nervous but was able to turn his performance around. Ancelotti was overall happy with the way the young players of Real turned out for the game, earning them a place in the semi-final of Copa del Rey.
Ancelotti: “Jacobo didn’t play well today. He’s a very good player. We count on him and he’ll stay with us until the end of the season. He’ll play better than today, I’m convinced of that.” pic.twitter.com/V5HVvRlOIZ
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) February 5, 2025
In his post-game reaction, Ancelotti said that while the young players have room for making mistakes, ultimately they contributed to the side’s victory. Madrid are currently hit with injuries in their defence line with David Alba, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, their three senior centre-backs all on the sidelines during a crucial period of the season. It led to Ancelotti admitting that the side needed to stay together at such a phase.
Real Madrid’s tough upcoming fixtures
On Sunday Real will host Atletico Madrid in La Liga before visiting Manchester City for their first leg of the Champions League playoff for the knockout stage. Ancelotti expressed his gratitude for those working in the background making the academy graduates stand out. Ramon was out with injury for three months as pointed out by Ancelotti and was making his start of the season. He was feeling the pressure and ended up conceding the penalty in the first half.
Ancelotti felt that Ramon was yet to show the calibre he possesses and will be with the side until the end of the season. Ancelotti admitted that the upcoming fixtures were the reason behind the squad and wanted his team to remain fresh as well as give youngsters minutes to help them find their foot.
Carlo Ancelotti was left impressed after Gonzalo Garcia scored a injury time decider to take Real Madrid into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
