Ancelotti talks Modric, Vinicius, Jacobo, Valverde, Camavinga after Leganes 2-3 Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid pulled off a last-gasp win over Leganes in the quarterfinal of the Copa del Rey last night and sealed a place in the final four of the competition.

Los Blancos took the early lead on the night and doubled it via Endrick in the first half, but the hosts leveled the score after the break. In the end, only a late goal from Gonzalo Garcia secured the team’s progression.

Speaking to the media after the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the game was closer than he expected and praised his team for sealing the win.

“It was a close and competitive match. I think we started well, we took the lead. Up front, the team played very well, and very effectively. At the back, we suffered a little, but that is quite normal.”

Ancelotti praises the youth

Carlo Ancelotti praised the youth. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Jacobo Ramon was given a start alongside Raul Asencio on the night, forming a fully homegrown defensive combination, and the manager gave his opinion on the debutant’s performance.

“Jacobo has paid a bit for the first game. He was a bit nervous at the beginning and then he started to have more success in his plays.”

“Gonzalo is on a very good run with Castilla and he also contributed tonight. We have to be satisfied with what the youngsters have done because they have contributed to the team,” he added on Gonzalo Garcia.

Elaborating on the importance of youngsters given the current injury situation, Ancelotti said,

“We have to count on them because it is a difficult moment that we have to get through with games like today, in which we have suffered. We are in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey.”

Ancelotti also ensured to praise the first-team players who have not seen many minutes this season for their performances last night.

“Endrick has scored and has given good sensations. Arda Guler has also worked for the team. We have to come away from this game with satisfaction.”

On Jacobo and Gonzalo

Gonzalo Garcia scored the winner for Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Ancelotti went on praising the Castilla side for providing support at this difficult moment and insisted that the young players were invaluable to his plans.

“They are doing a very good job and players are coming in who are well prepared. Obviously, they lack experience, but they are doing very well.”

“Asencio since he arrived, Gonzalo, Jacobo etc. We have to take into account that Jacobo has just come back from a fairly long injury. He hasn’t been able to play for three months. We are aware that we can count on them,” he added.

He even backed up Jacobo, who looked shaky against Leganes, and asserted that he was a far better player than he showed.

“Jacobo is not what he played today. He paid a lot for the first game. He is a very good defender. We are counting on him and he will be with us until the end of the season. And by the way, he will play better than today, I am convinced of this.”

At the same time, he ensured to praise the match-winning goalscorer Gonzalo Garcia, saying,

“It was a goal scored just in time, in the last minute. With extra time it was a bit more difficult to recover.”

“The team is doing well, we left some players out to rest and be well prepared for Saturday,” he added.

Finally, the manager opened up about giving more chances to young stars and how there would be more minutes for such academy standouts.

“I put the team in order to try to win games and not to give minutes to the youth team. Obviously, we have to be happy when a youngster from our youth team contributes to the first team.”

“This year they have had the opportunity to play more minutes with the injuries we have had and they are doing well,” he added.

Updates on the midfield

Carlo Ancelotti gave updates on injured players. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Eduardo Camavinga once again missed last night’s clash through injury and the manager provided an update on his recovery and projected date of return.

“I hope Camavinga can recover for Saturday’s game. He is a doubt, just like Valverde was.”

“Today Lucas Vazquez had a small problem and couldn’t contribute as a right back. That’s where the doubt lies,” he added, revealing why Vazquez did not play.

Speaking on Aurelien Tchouameni’s performance, Ancelotti unsurprisingly had but praise.

“Tchouameni contributes a lot to the team as a pivot, especially on a defensive level. He was very happy to play there and I told him not to get too happy.”

Federico Valverde has stepped in as a right-back more often than not in recent weeks and the coach was asked where the Uruguayan would play going forward this season.

“We have to take it game by game. We have to deal with the emergency we have in this way. Make a good line-up for Saturday’s game and then we’ll see what happens.”

“Valverde contributes a lot as a full-back because he’s a spectacular player. Wherever I put him, he delivers. If I put him as a full-back, it seems like he’s been playing there for a long time,” he added on the midfielder’s versatility.

Speaking on his options to serve as the pivot, the Italian gaffer said,

“He [Valverde] also contributes as a pivot. It’s difficult to think that Tchouameni and Valverde could both play in the back line. One of the two can play and we’ll see how we do in each game.”

Ancelotti supports Modric

Ancelotti praised Modrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Luka Modric was seen arguing and scolding Vinicius Jr during the game, possibly asking him to contribute defensively more than he was. Commenting on the situation, Ancelotti said,

“We must always respect what Modric says.”

“In terms of football, he’s the same old Vinicius. Very fresh, and very forceful in his approach. He’s had many opportunities, he’s given an assist to Brahim and then the card. Nothing new, everything normal,” he added on Vinicius.

Finally, the manager spoke about the need to have a clear plan heading into a critical set of games beginning from the derby this weekend.

“For this line-up, we have taken into account the next two games, so as not to wear down the team too much. Especially because we have an emergency at the back.”

“It is not just for this reason, we also have to give the young players we have, like Arda Güler, Endrick and Jacobo himself, minutes so that they can get into a rhythm and be more useful in the next games,” he added.

Source: Real Madrid official website